Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan climb to over 12,400, health officials say

Aug 6 - Michigan health officials reported 12,485 cases linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak on Thursday, up 267 cases from its last update a day earlier.

Michigan has reported the first two deaths associated with the outbreak, saying both individuals had significant underlying health conditions.

Here are some details:

• The state said the two Michigan cases became ill before the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 17.

• The outbreak in Michigan has resulted in 279 hospitalizations as of August 6, according to the state health department's latest update.

• Cases of the intestinal infection caused by the cyclospora parasite, which can cause diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, have risen steadily across the United States in recent months, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• An FDA investigation has linked the multistate outbreak, which has spread to 15 states to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and sourced from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, but authorities are still looking for other potential sources.

• The total case count associated with this multistate outbreak is now 6,358 illnesses reported from 15 states with at least 278 hospitalizations, CDC and FDA said. The agencies' surveillance lags state reporting by several weeks.

• Consumers in the U.S. have been steering clear of some restaurant chains and buying less lettuce in grocery stores as a multistate outbreak of a parasitic disease has fueled confusion over what is safe to eat.

• Cyclosporiasis can be contracted by consuming food, typically raw fruits and vegetables, or water contaminated with feces. REUTERS