Parasite Cases Increasing In PA: See Latest Data, Products To Avoid

Case numbers of cyclosporiasis continue to steadily increase in Pennsylvania as officials work to contain the multi-state outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite.

The CDC says that Pennsylvania has between 200 and 499 laboratory confirmed cases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed 101 cases. Both say that their counts lag behind actual numbers, as it takes time to confirm suspected cases and symptoms can sometimes take day or weeks to show up.

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The 200 to 499 number is still a notable increase from just last week, when the CDC estimated 50 to 199 cases in the state.

Nationally, case counts have risen to more than 22,000, according to the CDC, with 10,468 confirmed cases and another 12,255 additional probable or under-investigation cases. Thousands more have been reported by state health departments.

Two deaths have also been confirmed in Michigan.

Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Growing: How To Order Fast Food Safely In PA

The CDC added Pennsylvania to the nine-state outbreak list last month.

Some states like Illinois have seen a decrease in new cases, even as the total case numbers continue to increase. Officials in Pennsylvania have not said definitively one way or the other if that is the case here. The guidance from an alert issued weeks ago, that the Department of Health believes "case counts are expected to increase in the coming days to weeks," has been unchanged.

The investigation into the source of the outbreak remains ongoing.

The recall on iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico remains in place, despite a false positive on a test earlier this week. Traceback data from cases connects this outbreak to that source, the CDC said.

Taco Bell has since removed the affected lettuce from its local restaurants and national supply chain, and Taylor Farms has issued a nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico. Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, withdrew all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico at ​the supplier's request.

Find the complete list of affected products, as well as lot codes and use-by dates, here.