Michigan health officials announced Friday that the number of cyclosporiasis cases in the state has climbed to 5,002 — an increase of 690 cases in just one day — as investigators continue searching for the root cause of what has become an unusually large outbreak of the intestinal illness.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the outbreak had resulted in 102 hospitalizations in the state as of July 16.
Here is what we know about the outbreak:
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines. It is typically spread through contaminated food — particularly raw fruits and vegetables — or contaminated water, and causes symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and other stomach-related problems.
Health officials say this year’s outbreak across the United States is both larger and more widespread than outbreaks seen in previous years, raising significant concern.
Federal health agencies announced Thursday that they are looking into a multi-state outbreak of cyclospora infections connected to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum Brands, will stop using lettuce from the supplier that agencies have identified as connected to the ongoing outbreak.
According to CDC data cited by the FDA, five states have reported a combined 1,644 people who became infected with the parasite and also reported eating at Taco Bell. Of those cases, 94 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Bloomberg News reported Friday, citing a document, that Taylor Farms — a California-based supplier — will issue a recall of products tied to the cyclosporiasis outbreak connected to lettuce served at Taco Bell.
The FDA said it is working with the identified supplier to determine whether any potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce is still available in the marketplace. The agency has also begun collecting product samples for testing and analysis.
