Parasite Cases 'Expected To Increase' In PA As Outbreak Source Investigated

Cases of the cyclosporiasis parasite are "expected to increase" in Pennsylvania even as case numbers have held steady to this point, the Department of Health said.

Pennsylvania has 28 confirmed cases of the diarrhea-causing parasite, according to state data. Fourteen of those cases are in southeastern Pennsylvania, 2 are in the northeast, 1 in the northwest, and 11 are in Allegheny County.

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That level has remained unchanged since last week. However, additional reports indicating further cases have been received, the state said, and those cases are currently under investigation.

"Case counts are expected to increase in the coming days and weeks," the Pennsylvania Department of Health said.

Cases are also rapidly rising in nearby states. The CDC has confirmed just 1,600 cases, but their numbers lag far behind state health departments. Michigan alone accounts for more than 5,000 cases, state officials there said. Officials estimate more than 11,500 cases have been confirmed nationwide thus far since May.

Hundreds have been hospitalized with explosive diarrhea. In some instances, symptoms can last weeks.

The source of the outbreak remains unknown and is under investigation by state health departments and the CDC.

Investigators hit a setback earlier this week when they discovered that a lab result they believed linked cases to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Fresh Foods, a provider to numerous grocery stores and to Taco Bell, turned out to be a false positive.

Regardless, the CDC is continuing to investigate that supplier as a potential source, however, because traceback evidence from numerous sickened individuals connects Taylor to the lettuce.

The voluntary product recalls issued by the CDC last week remain in place. The recall from Taylor Fresh Foods covered 27 states, including Pennsylvania.

Investigators have made links to Taco Bells in five states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Taco Bell said on July 17 that they would no longer use lettuce made by Taylor.

Cyclosporiasis can be contracted by consuming contaminated foods or water, but most often spreads through tainted produce. Foods linked to past outbreaks have included a mix of greens and vegetables, such as parsley, broccoli, and cilantro. It cannot be spread person to person. Symptoms can appear up to 14 days after contracting the parasite.