Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Expands to More States

On Tuesday, Michigan health officials reported 9,680 cases of cyclosporiasis, an increase of over 1,000 cases since last Friday partly attributed to delayed laboratory reporting. The outbreak in Michigan has contributed to 160 hospitalizations, but no deaths, the state’s health department reported.

While the investigation is ongoing, available information indicates that lettuce or salad greens may be a potential source of this outbreak. However, other food items cannot be completely ruled out, Michigan health officials said. No specific type of produce, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source, it added.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are widening their ⁠investigation into the outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after identifying cases ​in four additional states, Reuters reported. This outbreak now includes cases from nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the FDA said on ​Friday. A total of 1,947 people infected with the cyclospora parasite, with exposure to Taco Bell, have ​been reported by the nine states, the FDA said, citing epidemiological data collected by ⁠CDC.

Additionally, the outbreak has incurred scrutiny from lawmakers, the news agency reported. U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, the ​top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a letter on Monday he had launched an inquiry into Taylor Farms’ role in the outbreak and whether the company attempted to influence the FDA’s response. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Taylor Farms representatives had asked the White House to delay announcing a recall linked to the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people.