Michigan health officials reported 10,077 cases of cyclosporiasis.
Michigan health officials on Wednesday reported 10,077 cases of cyclosporiasis, an increase of 397 cases since the previous update issued a day earlier.
The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating the outbreak and has linked it to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants supplied by privately owned Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico. However, officials said they are still investigating other possible sources because of the large number of cases.
The outbreak has also raised concerns among consumers across the United States, with many avoiding some restaurant chains and buying less lettuce at grocery stores because of uncertainty about which foods are safe to eat.
According to Michigan’s Department of Health, 160 people had been hospitalized as of July 23, but no deaths have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has received reports of 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States. The agency also said it is aware of more than 11,500 additional cases across 45 states that have not yet been laboratory confirmed or still require further investigation.
Health officials said they are continuing to investigate other possible sources of the outbreak. In North Carolina, parsley and cilantro were commonly identified among people who became ill, although officials believe there may be multiple sources of exposure.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora parasite and is usually spread through contaminated food or water. People can become infected by eating raw fruits or vegetables or drinking water contaminated with feces.