Outbreaks of the cyclosporiasis parasite are getting closer to the Garden State, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Friday, the CDC announced that an additional four states are experiencing outbreaks from what's been dubbed "the diarrhea parasite," bringing the total to nine.
While New Jersey has avoided outbreaks so far, our neighbor to the west, Pennsylvania, is among the not-so-lucky, according to the CDC's latest numbers.
The total number of cases in Pennsylvania is unclear, but is at least in the hundreds. The CDC says there are between 30 and 80 cases in the state, though they admit their numbers lag behind state and county health departments.
More: CDC Declares Parasite Outbreak In PA As Cases Grow
Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma were added to the "outbreak" classification on Friday. That list already included Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana, states which have been the focal point of cases thus far.
The CDC's official count of sickened individuals is 4,100, and more than 7,500 additional cases are under review, putting a conservative estimate at around 12,000.
The Garden State, despite our husbandry nickname, has not seen a notable uptick in cases involving the produce-dwelling cyclosporiasis parasite.
As of July 11, the New Jersey Department of Health recorded 46 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, which falls within the typical range of 30 to 50 cases usually seen this time of year.
"At this time, we are not seeing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases here in New Jersey, and our current numbers are in line with what we'd expect for this time of year," said Dr. Raynard Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. "At the same time, produce grown or packed in other states regularly ends up on New Jersey shelves, so contamination elsewhere can still reach us here. That's why we're encouraging everyone to take a few basic precautions – like thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables – to reduce their risk of getting sick."
Officials say the outbreak stems from iceberg lettuce processed by Taylor Farms in Mexico. Despite a false positive revealed on a cyclosporiasis test earlier this week, the recall on iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico remains in effect.
Taylor Farms is known for providing produce to chains across the country, including Taco Bell, Panera Bread, and several grocery stores.
However, Jersey Fresh Produce has been determined by officials not to be linked to the diarrhea-causing parasite.
With reporting from Justin Heinze
More from Patch:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across New Jersey Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.