The Louisiana Department of Health reported Wednesday that 23 cases of cyclosporiasis are under investigation in the state, including one hospitalization. Officials said the tally is preliminary and could change as probes continue.
What officials are finding
LDH said the source of the infections has not yet been identified. The state typically sees cyclical increases in cyclosporiasis during warm months; federal guidance designates the U.S. season as May 1 through Aug. 31. Over the past two decades, Louisiana has recorded between 1 and 101 cases annually, with 73 cases reported in 2023. For the same period in the past five years, the state averaged about 20 reported cases.
“Because many of these cases are still under investigation, this number is preliminary and subject to change,”
said a spokesperson for LDH.
Broader pattern across the country
Louisiana is among 29 states reporting outbreaks. Michigan and Ohio have seen sharp increases this summer: Michigan recently reported nearly 1,000 cases with dozens hospitalized, and Ohio has reported more than 177 cases with multiple hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported in the current wave.
| Jurisdiction | Cases (recent) | Hospitalizations |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 23 (investigated) | 1 |
| Michigan | 992 | 40 |
| Ohio | >177 | 28 |
Symptoms, risks and guidance
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes watery diarrhea, often with frequent and sometimes sudden bowel movements. Treatment typically involves specific antibiotics; left untreated, symptoms can continue for weeks. Infectious-disease physicians stress that fatalities are rare, but dehydration is the chief concern and the reason some patients require hospitalization.
Dr. Obinna Nnedu of Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans urged calm while investigations continue:
“I certainly don't want (Louisianans) to start panicking,”
He added that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will seek links among cases and try to identify potential exposures.
- If you have severe diarrhea: seek medical attention, especially if you show signs of dehydration (dizziness, low urine output, rapid heart rate).
- Testing: Ask your clinician about testing for Cyclospora if symptoms are consistent and there is prolonged watery diarrhea.
- Prevention: Practice routine food safety, wash fresh produce, and follow public-health advisories if a common source is identified.
At this stage, public-health authorities are focused on tracing exposures, notifying potentially affected facilities or suppliers if a common source emerges, and updating clinicians on testing and treatment recommendations. Residents should monitor LDH and CDC updates for any new information about implicated foods or locations and follow guidance from health care providers.
Reporting and testing are crucial to pinning down an outbreak. As investigators continue their work, state officials emphasize that numbers are preliminary and that additional cases may be identified.
