Cases of a tropical parasite that causes explosive diarrhea have quadrupled in Michigan in under a week—and not one major outlet covering the outbreak will ask whether millions of unscreened illegal aliens pouring across the southern border might have something to do with it.
As of Monday, Michigan alone reported at least 572 cases of cyclosporiasis, up from 170 the previous Tuesday, according to the state health department. The New York Post put the number even higher at 681. Ohio has logged 177 cases, North Carolina 110, and at least a dozen other states—from Texas to Florida to New Jersey—are now reporting infections. At least 20 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported yet.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora, which spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with human feces. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions—the kind of places millions of border crossers are arriving from. The CDC itself notes the illness is endemic in developing countries. Yet the agency insists there is "no evidence of a single, multi-state outbreak" and has not identified a common source.
All three outlets covering this story—the Post, The Guardian, and The Independent—dutifully reported that experts are still searching for the source. All three noted that previous outbreaks were traced to bagged salad mixes, basil, cilantro, and raspberries. All three relayed the CDC's assurance that the parasite is "not usually transmitted from person to person."
What none of them mentioned: the southern border.
The Guardian framed the spike as an "abnormally large outbreak" and quoted Michigan's chief medical executive calling the case count "a moving target." The Independent passed along an Ohio health department statement insisting "no source has been confirmed." The Post gave the most granular state-by-state data but still presented the mystery as purely a food-safety puzzle.
Here is what the public is supposed to ignore. The parasite spreads through fecal contamination of food and water. It thrives in tropical climates. The CDC confirmed that every person who fell sick contracted the illness inside the United States—none had recently traveled abroad. Meanwhile, millions of people have entered this country without health screening through an effectively open border. An infected food handler who crossed illegally and carries this parasite can contaminate produce just as easily as a bad batch of lettuce from abroad.
Cristy Cooper, a 51-year-old dialysis patient in Michigan, told the Post she was using the toilet at least 30 times a day at her worst. "This is worse than like any flu I've ever gotten," she said from the hospital. For the immunocompromised, the elderly, and young children, the dehydration from severe diarrhea can be dangerous.
The CDC says it is working with the FDA to investigate. Michigan officials predict cases will keep rising. The public is told to wash their produce and cook it when possible.
Wash your lettuce. But don't ask why a third-world parasite is suddenly sickening hundreds of Americans in a dozen states, and don't ask who might be handling your food before it reaches your grocery store. The experts are baffled. The press isn't curious. The border is off-limits.
The question hangs: how many more outbreaks will it take before someone in the public health apparatus is willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads—even if it leads south?
