1178: Lessons from Michigan's Cyclospora Outbreak Response

Timely, transparent communication can shape the course of a public health emergency long before every answer is known. In this episode, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, and ASTHO member, Natasha Bagdasarian, tells us about Michigan's response to one of the nation's largest cyclospora outbreaks. She explains how state officials used early surveillance data to warn the public before a product recall was issued, worked closely with health care systems to expand testing capacity, and tailored public messaging to Michigan's unique outbreak. Dr. Bagdasarian also reflects on the challenges of coordinating across state and federal partners, the importance of communicating uncertainty with honesty, and how proactive public health messaging helped reduce illness while strengthening trust during a rapidly evolving outbreak.Tracking Cyclosporiasis: Understanding the Current Outbreak, Case Investigations, and Prevention Efforts | ASTHOTake Action | ASTHO