The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan continues to grow, with state officials reporting 550 more cases Thursday morning, bringing the total since June 22 to 4,312, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The latest total represents a roughly 65% increase from the more than 2,600 cases reported on Monday.
As of Thursday, 102 people had been hospitalized for cyclosporiasis during the outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic illness that usually causes frequent, watery and explosive diarrhea. As of Thursday morning, most of the more than 4,300 cases were concentrated in Southeast Michigan, with 582 cases in Wayne County, at least 474 cases in Washtenaw County and 396 cases in Oakland County. By comparison, Macomb County has 75 cases.
An investigation into the outbreak by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control indicates that a “likely common source” links cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, officials said during a Tuesday conference call with reporters.
Federal officials have not yet identified that common source.
Michigan health officials said Monday the parasitic illness is believed to have originated with infected lettuce or salad greens, but they added that “other food items cannot be completely ruled out.”
No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source, the state health department said.
“Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, in a statement. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.”
Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases, said experts are using data, including what types of food sickened people ate, where they obtained it and genotyping from stool specimens to identify clusters of related cases.
“Cyclospora investigations are particularly challenging and take a significant amount of time and effort for two reasons,” Biggerstaff said. “One, because people usually get sick two days to two weeks after being exposed to the parasite, and by the time a case is reported, many weeks have passed.
Prior outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. and Canada have been linked to bagged salad, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions, officials said.
Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in the outbreak, according to two individuals familiar with the investigation who spoke with The Washington Post.
Some people who became ill told investigators they had eaten at Taco Bell, an individual told The Post. But others who became sick had not eaten there, suggesting the outbreak extends beyond the chain.
Who has been most impacted by cyclosporiasis?
Most cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan have been detected in adults between 20 and 49 years old, with fewer cases among children and older adults.
Almost 1,000 cases, or 22% of all cases, were detected among adults from 30 to 39 years old, according to the data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Thursday morning.
How to avoid cyclosporiasis
To avoid cyclosporiasis, experts urge consumers to wash all produce and cook it rather than eating it raw whenever possible.
For lettuce and salad greens, the state health department recommends:
bwarren@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis cases rise above 4,300, a 65% hike in 3 days
Reporting by Ben Warren, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ben Warren, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
