Michigan continues to face a growing outbreak of a foodborne bacterial infection linked to severe diarrhea, health officials say.
As of July 20, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported 6,148 cyclosporiasis cases in the state since June 22 mainly in southeast and mid-Michigan — up over 1,000 cases since July 17.
The Wayne County Health Department, which does not include Detroit, has reported the highest number of cases per county statewide — 582 — but cases have been confirmed in 64 of Michigan’s 83 counties, as of July 16, according to MDHHS.
Cases began sharply rising in early July, reaching a peak high of 706 daily cases on July 13, according to MDHHS data.
The majority of infections, 3,689, in Michigan are in people 20 to 69 years old.
Cyclosporiasis, which has been reported in 34 states, is caused by a parasite from consuming contaminated food or water and can cause severe dehydration, frequent, watery diarrhea or explosive bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating and low-grade fever.
The Food and Drug Administration is still investigating a culprit behind the outbreak of the stomach-churning parasitic infection after a sample of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, served at Taco Bell restaurants, was a false positive, USA TODAY reported. Taylor Farms issued an expansive voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products on July 17 as a result of the outbreak and investigation, which initially connected the illnesses to lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico sold, in part, through Taco Bell locations in five states.
To reduce your risk of ingesting the parasite, residents are urged to wash produce and hands thoroughly before cooking or eating.
Here’s what to know about cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan.
How widespread is the cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan?
Michigan has seen 6,148 cases of cyclosporiasis, as of July 20, including 102 hospitalizations, as of July 16, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The infection has impacted a variety of age groups, with most cases concentrated among young adults to senior citizens, according to MDHHS data.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a stomach parasite that causes severe and sometimes explosive diarrhea. It is usually not considered a life-threatening disease, though it can cause severe dehydration.
The illness is caused by consuming the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis while ingesting contaminated food or water. It’s generally not transmitted directly from one person to another.
While most bacterial foodborne illnesses resolve within a few days, cyclosporiasis can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms that persist for weeks or even longer, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
How can you reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis?
To reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, health officials have issued guidance aimed at anyone involved in preparing, processing or serving fresh produce:
What should cooks do to reduce the risk?
MDHHS said because of the “large and increasing number of cases in Michigan,” entities in southeast Michigan that prepare, process or serve raw produce, including restaurants and other commercial kitchens, should take the following steps:
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
(This story has been updated to reflect that Detroit cases are not included in the Wayne County totals.)
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Is Michigan still facing cyclosporiasis outbreak? See cases
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
