FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
July 31, 2026 | 12:30 pm | Windsor and Essex County 

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is advising residents to take precautions when travelling to Michigan following a significant increase in cases of cyclosporiasis reported locally and throughout the State of Michigan.

To date, Windsor-Essex has identified 24 cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026. In a typical year, the region averages around 3 cases. Local public health investigations have identified travel to Michigan as a common exposure among many recent cases.

The increase coincides with a large ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, where the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has reported more than 10,700 cases as of July 30, 2026. Michigan health officials have indicated that lettuce and salad greens are a potential source of the outbreak, although investigations remain ongoing.

“While the risk to the general public remains relatively low, the number of cases we are seeing in Windsor-Essex is higher than expected and appears to be associated with travel to Michigan,” said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. “Residents planning to travel across the border should be aware of the ongoing outbreak and take extra precautions when consuming fresh produce, particularly lettuce and salad greens.”

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora. Symptoms typically develop about one week after exposure and may include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever

Symptoms can last for days to weeks and may recur if left untreated. Individuals experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

Public Health Advice for Travellers

The WECHU recommends that residents travelling 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.
• Practice good hand hygiene, particularly before preparing or eating food.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms of cyclosporiasis develop following travel.

To keep yourself safe the health unit is further recommending purchasing whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-packaged salad mixes, discarding the outer leaves, and thoroughly washing inner leaves before consumption.

The WECHU continues to monitor the situation closely and is working with provincial and federal public health partners to identify and investigate additional cases.

For more information about cyclosporiasis, visit www.wechu.org or contact the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.