The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan since June 22 rose to 6,571 as of Tuesday morning, a 6.9% increase over Monday’s case count of 6,148.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 423 additional cases of cyclosporiasis on Tuesday.
The new cases come as the Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate an outbreak of the parasitic illness in five states, including Michigan. The illness usually causes frequent, watery and explosive diarrhea.
The FDA said in an X post Monday that its traceback investigation and outbreak data “continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce” from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico.
Cases have been reported in 65 of Michigan’s 82 counties as of last Thursday, according to the state health department. The largest numbers at the time were in Wayne County with 582 cases, Washtenaw with 474, Oakland with 396, and Ingham with 393.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said that as of Thursday, 102 people have reportedly been hospitalized.
Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin said Monday that her department recommends Michigan residents continue to purchase whole heads of lettuce, instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits, and follow the safety guidance it has provided.
FDA, Taylor Farms comment on ‘false positive’ test result
The FDA said in its Monday X post that, over the weekend, it alerted Taylor Farms that a new sample of shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora during “import examination at the Southern Border.” The test ended up being a false positive, the FDA said, and Taylor Farms was alerted to the corrective test result Sunday.
“To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms,” the agency said.
Taylor Fresh Foods said in a Monday statement that on July 17, it voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico that was identified as the potential source of the Cyclospora outbreak. It said the recall has been completed, with products removed from the marketplace.
The company also said no Taylor Farms branded products are involved in the recall.
“We currently have experts on site in central Mexico investigating all potential sources of contamination,” Taylor Fresh Foods said.
asnabes@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis cases exceed 6,500 as focus remains on lettuce
Reporting by Anne Snabes, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Anne Snabes, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
