July 13, 2026
MDHHS updates recommendations for cyclosporiasis prevention
Early investigation results indicate lettuce or salad greens as possible source
LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to investigate an outbreak of cyclosporiasis with 2,640 cases reported as of Monday, July 13. While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.
"Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more."
Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines and causes watery diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. It is often contracted by eating or drinking something contaminated with the parasite. Typically, Michigan only records 40 to 50 cases of cyclosporiasis annually.
MDHHS continues to work closely with local health departments to conduct in-depth interviews of individuals testing positive for cyclosporiasis, as well as with other state and federal partners to conduct traceback investigations. More than 1,000 interviews have than have been completed to date.
Given the extent of the outbreak, the incubation period of up to two weeks for symptoms to develop after exposure and complex food distribution networks across the state and country, it will take some time for agencies to complete their investigation.
Recreational water exposure, such as swimming in lakes, is not a recognized risk factor for cyclosporiasis and there is currently no evidence linking recreational water activities to this outbreak. While people should always avoid swallowing recreational water, foodborne exposure -- particularly exposure to contaminated produce -- remains the primary focus of this outbreak investigation.
MDHHS recommends the following safe practices for all individuals serving, preparing, or consuming lettuce and salad greens in impacted counties, this includes restaurants and commercial kitchens. Because this is an active and evolving situation, these recommendations may change as more information becomes available.
Focus on lettuce and salad greens
Given early information and the historical link between cyclospora and pre-packaged salad greens, MDHHS recommends adopting the following lettuce-specific safety measures:
- Purchase whole heads: Buy whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
- Discard outer layers: Before preparation, throw away the outer two to three layers of leaves.
- Wash inner leaves: Thoroughly wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water.
- Prioritize cooking: For any greens that can be cooked, cooking to a temperature of at least 158 F (70 C) is the safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.
Previous outbreaks
The following foods have been specifically linked to previouscyclosporaoutbreaks in the United States and Canada:
- Bagged salad mixes and kits.
- Fresh cilantro(coriander leaves).
- Fresh basil.
- Rasberries.
- Snow peas.
- Green onions(scallions).
General rules to reduce risk
- Cook when possible.Heating food to 158 F (70 C) or higher kills cyclospora.
- Peel produce. Peeling ishighly effectivefor food items with removable skin as the parasite sits on the outer surface.
- Wash all fresh produce. Washunder clean running water, even if you plan to peel it. "Pre-washed" does not guarantee safety and rewashing bagged lettuce is unlikely to remove cyclospora. While washing alone may not fully eliminate cyclospora, it enhances protection when combined with cooking or peeling.
These recommendations are particularly important for people who have a higher risk of dehydration or weakened immune systems such as patients on chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, infants and young children and elderly people.
If you do become ill
People experiencing frequent, watery diarrhea are encouraged to contact their health care provider and specifically request testing for cyclospora as routine stool tests may miss the parasite. Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics along with rest and drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
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Many supporters are reviewing their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) obligations. If you are age 70 or older, there is a powerful and tax-efficient way to meet this requirement while directly transforming lives in our community.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to transfer funds directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit, such as The Health Unit on Davison Avenue (HUDA Clinic). When done correctly, this gift:
- Counts toward your annual RMD
- Is excluded from your taxable income
- May help reduce your overall tax liability
For HUDA Clinic, QCD gifts provide immediate support for uninsured and underinsured patients who rely on us for medical, dental, vision, and specialty care—services they would otherwise go without.
How to Make a QCD to HUDA Clinic
To qualify, the transfer must be made directly from your IRA custodian to HUDA Clinic. Please share the following information with your financial advisor or brokerage firm:
Broker Name: Pershing, LLC
Address: One Pershing Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07399
DTC#: 0443
Account Name: Health Unit on Davison Avenue
Account#: PLR008258
HUDA EIN: 37-1490937
Name/Ticker of stock to be donated:
Number of shares to be donated:
Please note: Checks or transfers must be completed by December 31 to count toward this tax year.
Important Reminders
QCDs are available to individuals age 70 or older
Maximum of $100,000 per person per year
Gifts cannot provide any goods or services in return (including event tickets)
We strongly encourage you to consult with your tax or financial advisor to determine if a QCD is right for you.
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HUDA Clinic's role in the community is to cover the gaps in the current healthcare system. Besides serving those without insurance, many individuals who have insurance cannot afford their spend-downs or copays. Many others find themselves without proper guidance, resulting in them not being able to be seen by a physician for months at a time. The gaps in healthcare are still prevalent, and HUDA Clinic hopes to offer MORE to the community! We hope to expand our services to offer more of what our patients need!
The Impact:
There was a major change in healthcare delivery when the pandemic hit. HUDA Clinic was already the safety net for those who do not have insurance, yet during the pandemic we became a safety net for those individuals who were displaced by travel restrictions and were stranded in the Metro-Detroit area. We treated those ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households where one or both income providers were laid-off as a result of the pandemic. In May, 2023 the public health emergency officially ended. With that comes the loss of pandemic era Medicaid benefits to millions, known as Medicaid Unwinding. At the close of 2025, we have seen a 40% increase in our actual appointments over 2024! Presently HUDA provides nearly 500 patient appointments each month ranging from primary/preventative care to dental, vision and specialty care such as cardiology, endocrinology and nephrology (to name a few services provided at HUDA)
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