Amid the spiraling increase in Cyclospora cases, Michigan health officials have identified the ‘potential source’ of the parasite outbreak that sickened over 3,000 people.
The Michigan State Health Department issued an update on Monday, July 13, claiming to have identified the “potential source” of cyclosporiasis associated with lettuce.
The statement added that amid the ongoing investigation, early results point to lettuce or lettuce as a potential source of this outbreak.
Although officials did not rule out other food sources for this parasitic infection that results in “watery diarrhea,” loss of appetite and weight loss.
“No specific type of product, grower or supplier has been identified as the source,” the statement added.
To date, there have been over 2,800 cases of cyclosporiasis parasitic infection reported in 31 US states, per ABC News.
On the contrary, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday, July 10, 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis and 1,500 suspected cases in 31 states as of Friday, July 10.
CDC officials expect a federal increase in the number of cases, in part because of the delays in investigating the outbreak.
According to the Michigan Health Department, the total number of cases of the parasitic infection, cyclosporiasis, has reached 2,640.
The National Agency for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC first identified large clusters of cyclosporiasis in early May.
The parasitic outbreak, cyclosporiasis, has been linked to different types of produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro, per CDC.
