Case numbers of cyclosporiasis continue to increase steadily in Virginia, though the state is not considered part of the expanding, multi-state outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite.
The CDC says that Virginia has between 50 and 199 laboratory-confirmed cases. As of Monday, the Virginia Department of Health has confirmed 197 total cases: 107 domestically acquired, 48 internationally acquired and 42 as-yet undetermined.
Monday's numbers represent an increase of 35 cases, week-on-week, with 18 new domestically acquired cases. Last week, cases increased by 36, with 23 new domestically acquired cases. The state has been issuing weekly case updates since July.
Officials said some Virginia cyclosporiasis cases have reported travel to and exposures in states impacted by the multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Both the CDC and VDH say their counts will lag behind actual numbers, as it takes time to confirm suspected cases and symptoms can sometimes take days or weeks to show up.
As of Aug. 5, the CDC had identified 15 states as part of a single outbreak, with a national case count over 24,000. As of Aug. 10, the CDC says there are 13,895 confirmed cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis and another 10,455 cases that require further investigation and analysis to determine their origin.
The CDC also confirmed 740 hospitalizations and two deaths, with 47 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, reporting cases.
Thousands more cases have been reported by state health departments. In the epicenter of the outbreak, Michigan, the state health department reports 12,485 cases as of Aug. 6.
The investigation into the source of the outbreak is 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.
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