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Michigan’s cyclosporiasis outbreak grows to more than 1,500 cases

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Michigan health officials say the state’s cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to more than 1,500 cases. 

As of July 10, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has received 1,562 reports since June 22. Health officials say 44 people have been hospitalized. 

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes the diarrheal illness cyclosporiasis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the most common symptoms associated with the illness are frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Some people may also experience body aches, headache or vomiting.  

The outbreak of the gastrointestinal illness was first reported in late June, after the Monroe County Health Department said it was investigating a cluster of cases. 

Most of the cases have been in Southeast Michigan, with multiple cases reported in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. As of July 9, cases have been confirmed in 40 counties, with Monroe County reporting the most, at 215. 

Michigan averages about 50 cases per year, according to MDHHS.    

According to the CDC, at least 31 states have reported cases since early May, including Illinois, New York, and Texas.

MDHHS recently launched a cyclosporiasis outbreak webpage, where case counts are updated daily by 11 a.m. ET. The state will provide an update on hospitalization status and detailed outbreak data on Thursdays. 

What’s causing the outbreak?

Health officials are still working to determine the cause or causes of the recent burst in cases, whether that be a supplier, grower or type of produce.

According to MDHHS, previous outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada were linked to bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions.

Considering the trends, state health officials recommend that restaurants and commercial kitchens in Southeast Michigan take additional precautions with fresh produce, including washing it under clean running water and cooking it when possible.

Tips to prevent cyclosporiasis

Health officials shared the following tips for avoiding the illness:

  • Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, under running water, before cutting, cooking or eating.
  • Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a produce brush when cleaning.
  • Cut away any damaged or bruised areas of produce before preparing and eating.
  • Refrigerate any cut, peeled or cooked produce within two hours of preparing it.

Senate approves bill to fund government into December

Washington — The Senate approved a continuing resolution on Saturday to keep the government funded through Dec. 11, sending the bill to the House as Congress looks to avoid a government shutdown ahead of the midterm elections this fall. In a 90 to 6 vote, the Senate approved the measure, which would keep the government funded at current levels with some exceptions for six weeks beyond the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. It now goes to the House, where lawmakers have pursued a different approach. Before leaving town for its August recess, the House approved a separate continuing resolution that would also fund the government into December. But the GOP-led bill was passed with widespread opposition from Democrats. In the Senate, which has a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation, GOP leaders pursued a bipartisan approach to the funding extension — acknowledging the need for support across the aisle. Top Republican and Democratic appropriators in the Senate announced on Sunday an agreement on a stopgap funding bill. Democrats touted, among other wins, a provision in the bill closing a loophole preventing the administration from transferring funds to Border Patrol, after they refused to fund immigration enforcement agencies earlier this year. GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, praised the stopgap funding measure for avoiding "any poison pills." Democrats had sought additional provisions that could have imperiled its passage. But one provision could still pose hurdles in the House, should it take up the bill when it returns from recess later this month. The bill includes language to temporarily prevent political appointees in the administration from implementing a proposed rule about federal grants. Democrats have warned that the rule will allow the administration to cancel grants and "take even more federal funding hostage," and have sought to permanently ban the rule. But even the temporary ban could cause the measure to lose support among Republicans. If House Speaker Mike Johnson moves forward with the Senate bill, it could pick up support from Democrats to propel it to passage. But whether pressure from members of his own conference pushes him to pursue a different course remains to be seen.The Senate approved the measure as it churned through a number of priorities while preparing to depart for a five-week August recess. The House is set to return from its recess on Aug. 31, at which point the lower chamber will have a matter of weeks to coalesce behind a plan to keep the government funded. For the bulk of lawmakers, following two record breaking government shutdowns within the last 12 months, the appetite for another funding lapse appears low. And with the midterm elections quickly approaching, both sides of the aisle appear inclined to push off the fight for now. 
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