Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak continues as case count tops 9,200
The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan has topped 9,200 as health officials continue to track a parasite that can cause diarrhea and nausea after contaminated food is eaten.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there are 9,253 cases in the state as of July 27; an increase of 1,077 from the 8,176 cases as of July 24. Michigan has more cases than any other state in the U.S. in the summer of 2026.
In addition, 160 Michigan residents have received hospital treatment as of July 23. That number has also jumped at a fast pace, as there were 102 hospital cases reported as of July 16 and 44 reported as of July 9.
Michigan health officials report the case numbers on Mondays through Fridays. The hospital reports are updated once a week on Thursdays.
Impact in Michigan
The cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan came to the attention of state and local health officials in late June.
The state's outbreak was identified first by local officials in Monroe County, and nearly every county in the state has since seen at least one case. Wayne, Ingham, Oakland, Monroe and Washtenaw are among the hardest-hit counties.
Michigan typically sees around 50 cases of cyclosporiasis per year, according to MDHHS.
Federal officials investigating
The Centers for Disease Control says it is "working closely with FDA and state health authorities to investigate multiple clusters of cyclosporiasis" and issued an official health advisory on the matter.
As of July 24, 41 states are reporting cases to the CDC, with Michigan the worst-hit.
The CDC counts cases differently, with its numbers lagging behind Michigan's. The CDC says between May 1 and July 21 of 2026, there have been 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases, and the agency is aware of 7,400 additional reports that are under investigation. "Many of the additional cases have been reported by Michigan and Ohio," the agency says. "CDC is working with states to update numbers as additional cases are confirmed.
U.S. Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first public comment about the outbreak on July 21, declaring it under control and denying that cutbacks to monitoring activities have hurt U.S. food safety.
The public reaction
A CBS News poll reported on July 26 that four in 10 Americans are buying or eating less produce because of the parasite.
What's causing the outbreak?
Michigan officials said July 13 that testing pointed to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source, though other foods hadn't been ruled out.
Then on July 24, the Centers for Disease Control said a lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to the outbreak.
However, federal officials said there are multiple clusters of the ailment active in the United States.
Symptoms of the ailment
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads when infected feces contaminate food or water.
Symptoms typically begin about a week after infection and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and fatigue, lasting from two days to two weeks or longer.
"Without treatment, illness can last for weeks and may come and go," Wayne County health officials said.
The above video originally aired on July 26, 2026.
