MI Adds Another 1,400 Cyclosporiasis Cases In A Week

Michigan added 1,400 cyclosporiasis cases this week, as the state continues battling the diarrhea-causing parasitic illness.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 13,909 cyclosporiasis cases Thursday since June, up 11 percent from the prior week.

At least 314 of those cases have required hospitalization, including two deaths, according to health officials.

Despite the weekly jump, health officials said they are seeing an overall decline in cyclosporiasis case reports and related emergency department visits.

They also lifted their warnings on eating lettuce and other salad mixes that they believed were tied to the outbreak. They now believe the majority of the contaminated produce is likely no longer available for consumption.

Officials still haven't identified a positive source.

Michigan is by far the hardest-hit state in the outbreak that stretches across the country.

The majority of Michigan cases were found in southeastern Michigan, with more than 1,000 confirmed cases in both Oakland and Wayne County alone.

Officials believe most of the exposures occurred in late June to early July.

CDC health officials confirmed 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 47 states.

The FDA initially targeted lettuce served at multiple Taco Bell locations across five states, including Michigan. That supplier, Taylor Farms, voluntarily recalled some of its products as Taco Bell quickly stopped selling lettuce at select locations.

The FDA later said there was a mistake during testing and could not definitely label the lettuce as the cause of the outbreak.

On average, health officials said the entire U.S. typically sees about 3,000 cyclosporiasis cases a year.