Amid rising Cyclospora cases, Michigan health officials have found the “potential source” of the parasite outbreak that caused more than 3,000 people to fall ill.
The Michigan State Department of Health issued an update on Monday, July 13, saying it has identified the “potential source” of lettuce-related cyclosporiasis.
The statement added that, amid the ongoing investigation, early findings “point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source of this outbreak.”
Although officials did not rule out other food sources for this parasitic infection that causes “watery diarrhea,” loss of appetite and weight loss.
“No specific type of product, producer or supplier has been identified as a source,” the statement added.
So far, more than 2,800 cases of cyclosporiasis parasitic infection have been reported in 31 US states, according to ABC News.
In contrast, on Friday, July 10, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported 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 case counts, in part because of delays in investigating the outbreak.
According to the Michigan Department of Health, 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 several types of raw produce, including raspberries, basil, peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro, according to the CDC.
