Public health officials are struggling to pinpoint the origin of a fast-spreading parasitic outbreak that has sickened nearly 7,000 people across 34 states, with experts warning that the search for a source has been complicated by both the nature of the pathogen and cuts to federal health programs.

The outbreak involves cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection typically spread through contaminated food or water that tends to surge during the summer months. Its main symptom is frequent, watery diarrhoea, and while the illness is rarely fatal, it can leave those infected severely uncomfortable for extended periods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Michigan has been hit hardest, with more than 3,300 reported cases, followed by New York state.

Health officials have advised the public to wash produce thoroughly, cook vegetables to kill off the parasite, and avoid certain fruits such as raspberries. Despite those precautions, the sources of contamination driving the outbreak remain unidentified.

A Notoriously Difficult Pathogen to Trace

Experts say cyclospora is inherently harder to track than many other foodborne pathogens. Steven Manderach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, described the challenge in stark terms.

"This isn't like detecting a needle in a haystack. It's like detecting a microscopic portion of a needle in a haystack," Manderach said.

Part of the difficulty lies in the incubation period. Unlike many foodborne illnesses that produce symptoms within hours, cyclosporiasis can take one to two weeks to cause........

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