As Michigan faces a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has impacted over 10,000 individuals in the state, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is advising locals planning to travel there to opt for cooked vegetables when dining out instead of raw options like salad greens, berries, and grapes.
The health unit has reported 24 cases of cyclosporiasis in the county so far in 2026, a significant rise from an average of around three cases each year.
The majority of July’s cases were linked to travel within the U. S., according to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh.
“Our advice is [to] eat fruits, vegetables as much as possible. That’s good for your health. But for the short period of time, particularly at this time, my advice is to refrain from those products,” Aloosh said, speaking about raw produce, specifically.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora, as noted by the health unit in a news release issued Friday.
Symptoms usually show up about one week after exposure and can include:
Watery diarrhea. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Stomach cramps and bloating. Nausea. Fatigue. Low-grade fever.
Symptoms can persist for days or even weeks and may return if not treated properly, according to the health unit.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported more than 10,700 cases as of July 30, WECHU stated.
Michigan health officials have suggested that lettuce and salad greens could be sources of the outbreak; however, investigations are still ongoing.
“We are going to the long weekend,” Aloosh said.
“There’s a new bridge there. We felt that people might want to benefit from going to Michigan to the other side of the border and enjoy weather, food, travel. So that’s a time to inform our community about the risk.”
WECHU advises residents heading to Michigan:
Be cautious when consuming lettuce, salad greens, berries, grapes, and pre-packaged salads. Consider choosing cooked vegetables when possible. Wash fresh produce thoroughly before eating. Practise good hand hygiene, particularly before preparing or eating food. Seek medical attention if symptoms of cyclosporiasis develop following travel.
The health unit also recommends buying whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-packaged salad mixes; discard outer leaves and wash inner leaves thoroughly before consumption.
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