A cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has left hundreds of Americans with a stomach-churning parasitic infection, has now been linked to nine states, according to federal health officials.
Those nine states include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 24. Previously, just five states were connected.
The CDC is still investigating other cyclosporiasis illnesses that are unrelated to this outbreak, the agency added.
"This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported," the CDC noted. "This is because many people recover
without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora."
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People typically become infected after consuming contaminated food or water.
This story is developing.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cyclosporiasis outbreak now linked to 9 states. See which ones
