A parasite is running rampant in Michigan. Will it spread elsewhere?
Parasitic infections by Cyclospora have climbed to over 700 cases in Michigan in the first week of July. Northeastern public health expert answers questions about the potential dangers and how to stay safe.
If you’re anywhere near Michigan, you might want to skip the cilantro — or at least wash it really well.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s a parasite known as Cyclospora on the loose. It’s tiny, it spreads quickly, and it’s making hundreds of people sick.
The MDHHS mentions that foods linked to past outbreaks include bagged salads, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions. Setting in within about a week, symptoms can take anywhere from two days to two weeks to show up and consist of “watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” the CDC explained.
Northeastern Global News asked Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern’s master of public health program, about the recent outbreak and what might be in store. Here’s what he had to say.
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What is Cyclospora, and how does it make people sick?
This tiny one-celled parasite is spread through fecal matter that gets on produce, Maniar explained. He added that once the invaders set up camp inside the body, they reproduce very rapidly.
To make matters worse, the pathogens evade genetic tracking methods that could pinpoint their source, Maniar said. Superspeed mating “results in changing DNA over generations and makes it very hard to trace back” the parasite’s trajectory, he said.
“The parasite burrows into the wall of your intestines,” which Maniar agreed isn’t “the most enjoyable thing” to imagine. Luckily, “antibiotics can treat this,” he said.
Antibiotics stop Cyclospora reproduction by cutting off its energy source, folate, Maniar explained.
Can people around you catch it?
Maniar mentioned that people in the same household are likely to be exposed to a common source by eating the same food or using the same swimming pool.
As for whether Cyclospora can hop from one host to another, he said, “it’s unlikely unless there’s improper hygiene.” Given that it’s passed through fecal matter, you can fill in the details.
How likely is it that Cyclospora will show up around Boston or outside Michigan?
While the outbreak in Michigan is alarming, “cyclosporiasis isn’t new,” Maniar explained. Summer upticks are typical, since we eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and spend more time outside, he said.
The CDC considers May 1 through August 31 to be cyclosporiasis season. The 2026 outbreak officially began on May 1 with 145 cases tracked across 17 states before June 16.
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health assistant director of media relations Katheleen Conti confirmed that “between May 1 and July 7, 2026, there have been 18 cases of cyclosporiasis reported in MA residents,” which is in line with the norm for this time.
There’s no risk-free place, Maniar said, so “it’s really about just making sure that you are taking precautions.”
What are those precautions, exactly?
“Wash your hands properly, wash produce properly,” Maniar repeated. He advised being extra careful in the summer: “Lots of people are out, you’re touching all kinds of different surfaces. You go to the beach, go to the playground, you may go to a splash pad, you’re at picnics.”
Don’t skimp on the scrubbing either, Maniar added, explaining that “just rinsing for one second under the water” doesn’t cut it. He said studies showed bumpy berries, such as raspberries, are “more likely to be contaminated.”
There are fancy produce-washing spinners and capsules out there, but Maniar didn’t see them as a magic solution. He mentioned a study that compared three techniques: a simple minute-long rinse, a rinse followed by a round of spinning, and a soak in water and vinegar. With all three methods, some diehard parasites still managed to survive the process.
In the end, it’s best to just pick what works for you and stick with it, he suggested.
Are there any lasting effects for those who end up getting sick?
Maniar explained that the infection can happen in several bouts over a period of six weeks. And while having a lengthy GI illness is a drag for anyone, he said it could be especially serious for “folks who are immunocompromised” or have other conditions.
The MDHHS notes it can also be rough on the very young or the elderly. Persistent diarrhea that causes dehydration and disrupts nutrient absorption can also lead to complications, Maniar added.
Luckily, Maniar said the illness “resolves itself over time. It’s just not super pleasant while you have it.”
