Michigan health officials identify salad greens as potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak

On Monday, Michigan health officials announced they had identified salad greens and lettuce as a potential source of the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has affected over 2,800 individuals in the state. The investigation by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is still underway, with officials cautioning that it is premature to rule out other food sources.

According to the department, symptoms of cyclosporiasis include “watery diarrhea,” loss of appetite, and weight loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of Friday, there were 843 confirmed cases and 1,500 suspected cases across 31 states, with 86 hospitalizations but no fatalities.

Increase in Cyclosporiasis Cases

The Michigan Department of Health has reported that the state appears particularly hard-hit, with 2,640 cases documented. Comparatively, Ohio has reported 177 cases. The CDC expects case counts to rise due to typical delays in disease investigations, which can extend up to six weeks.

• 2,800+ cases reported in Michigan
• 843 confirmed cases nationwide
• 86 hospitalizations recorded
• No deaths reported

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, stated, “There is clearly a linked outbreak happening right now.” The ongoing investigation involves interviews with affected individuals, which can be challenging due to the long incubation period of the parasite.

Recommendations for Consumers and Restaurants

In response to the outbreak, health officials are urging restaurants and commercial kitchens in southeastern Michigan to thoroughly wash leafy greens, snow peas, some herbs, and raspberries. Ideally, consumers should purchase whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged greens, and should discard outer layers while thoroughly washing inner leaves.

Barbara Kowalcyk, an associate professor at George Washington University, emphasized the challenges posed by funding cuts to public health. “It’s like putting a puzzle together,” she noted, indicating that the current investigation is hampered by limited resources.

Impact of Funding Cuts on Public Health

Funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration in March 2025 resulted in $11.4 billion being slashed from state and local health department grants. This reduction has significantly impacted the capacity of public health departments to respond to outbreaks effectively.

Michigan public health labs alone faced a loss of $5.5 million. Kowalcyk highlighted that when funding is reduced, departments might have to cut staff or reduce hours, limiting their ability to scale up operations during an outbreak.

Furthermore, the administration's decision to narrow the scope of the FoodNet program has raised concerns about monitoring foodborne outbreaks effectively. The CDC has defended these changes, arguing that they streamline efforts, but experts worry about the implications for public health.