Michigan, the hotspot of the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the U.S., is showing promising signs that illnesses linked to contaminated lettuce may be slowing. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 9,500 people have gotten sick from the parasite in the state, with about 160 hospitalizations, in the last two months.
Cyclospora Outbreak Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 18,000 confirmed or suspected nationwide cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by a parasite found in human feces. In nine states, most of the illnesses have been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico.
While the outbreak isn’t over in Michigan, cases may have peaked there. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for Michigan, said a significant number of recently reported cases, roughly 475 since July 24, were a result of a reporting delay at one particular healthcare system and don’t necessarily reflect new illnesses.
Bagdasarian also noted that the percentage of visits to emergency departments with diarrhea as a main complaint is slowing, which is another positive indicator. However, people with milder symptoms may not be getting tested, and investigators in Michigan are unsure about the projected spread of cyclospora, especially if other, unidentified culprits are still in the food supply.
Investigation and Response
The Food and Drug Administration didn’t immediately respond to questions regarding the agency’s progress in tracing the source or sources of the illness. It’s been over a week since Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from some Taco Bell restaurants, groceries, and food service suppliers.
Health officials have suspected other food sources in this season’s outbreaks, namely cilantro and parsley, but have not confirmed either one. In New York, state officials investigated an earlier, smaller cluster of cyclosporiasis cases in April and traced the outbreak to cilantro served at a Brooklyn restaurant, though they never definitively confirmed it was the source.
Last week, officials in North Carolina — which has reported 561 cyclospora cases — said its preliminary investigation suggests cilantro and parsley could be behind those cases. Neither states’ outbreaks have been linked to Taylor Farm lettuce.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
