Summit County Public Health is investigating 65 local cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that causes explosive diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms, as of July 15.
This number reflects the total number of reported cases in Summit County since June 20. This number may change fairly rapidly during an evolving situation such as the current outbreak, said Dawn Meyers, marketing coordinator at Summit County Public Health.
A cluster of cases in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky is likely linked in a multi-state outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. These states have reported more than 400 connected infections, as of July 13.
A single source of the outbreaks has not yet been confirmed by the CDC, though Michigan health officials said they are looking into lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for its state’s outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis numbers
As of July 2, the Ohio Department of Health reported 177 cyclosporiasis cases in the state in 2026.
Nationwide, since May 1, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm.
The true number of illnesses is likely higher than what has been reported to the CDC because cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported, according to the CDC’s website.
How to handle produce potentially contaminated with cyclosporiasis
Cyclosporiasis is generally transmitted by eating contaminated produce. When handling produce, a tip sheet created by the Toledo Lucas County Health Department recommends:
All produce is safest to eat when cooked. Heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills the parasite.
Summit County Public Health has more resources on its website.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 65 cyclosporiasis cases causing explosive diarrhea reported in Summit County
Reporting by Lauren Cohen, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lauren Cohen, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
