In a new update Monday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that while its investigation into the more than 2,600 cases identified so far continues, “current results point to lettuce or salad greens” as a potential source.
Taco Bell has issued a statement as the fast food chain pulls certain ingredients from some locations amid the outbreak of parasitic infections causing “explosive” diarrhea across the U.S
In a statement to NBC News, the company confirmed that it “has voluntarily and temporarily removed” certain ingredients “at select restaurants as a precautionary measure” due to the cyclosporiasis outbreak sickening hundreds, including in Illinois and several Midwest states
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“The health and safety of our guests is our top priority,” Taco Bell Corp said in its statement. “Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.”
Last week, local news outlets in the Detroit area reported signs at certain Taco Bell locations indicating the restaurants had pulled lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo and guacamole. The Washington Post on Tuesday, citingonnection between the outbreak and the fast food chain, but health officials would not confirm that claim
Michigan has seen the most cases of cyclosporiasis of any state in the U.S. so far — and by a large margin
As of Wednesday, more than 3,700 cases had been reported in the state
Health officials there have said no exactce or salad greens.” They noted that “other food items cannot be completely ruled out” and “no specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the
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“Although we do not have a definite product identified as theve learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for MDHSS, said in a statement. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is investigating a cluster of cases in four Midwest states as part of the major outbreak spreading across the U.S. that has left them “concerned.”
According to the CDC, cases in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia are being investigated together as part of a multi-state cluster
“Public health officials are interviewing people linked to this outbreak to find out what foods they ate before getting sick,” the CDC said in an alert Tuesday. “A specific food item has not yet been confirmed as thean to solve this outbreak.”
As of July 13, more than 400 people infected with cyclospora have been reported to CDC from those locations, with additional cases under investigation
Those sickened all reported experiencing symptoms on or after June 22
“The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC noted. “This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it can take several weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
The link between the states remains unclear, but officials said the “investigation is showing a likely common
Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, noted, however, that “there are a lot of cases that are not accounted for as part of that multistate outbreak and there are a number of investigations that are going on.”
“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” she said. “This is a pretty big shift from what we’ve seen in previous seasons.”
Across the U.S., the CDC said 1,645 cases were confirmed to have been acquired domestically since May, 1 with at least 141 hospitalized as of July 13. Those sickened ranged in ages from 2 to 95 years old, data showed, with cases confirmed in at least 34 states
Kentucky officials confirmed a larger-than-typically increase in cases, reaching 100 reports, but only 55 confirmed so far. That’s compared to the average of 35 cases reported each year in the state
Another Midwest state, Illinois, has reported several new infections in recent days as health officials investigate a potential
According to numbers released by the Illinois Department of Public Health Tuesday, the state has recorded at least 216 cases of the parasitic infection so far. Of those, 18 were hospitalized, health officials said
Chicago made up as many as 50 of the reported cases, though three remain under investigation
“At this time, no singlestill no evidence of a large outbreak accounting for all or most of these Chicago cases,” the Chicago Department of Public Health said in a statement
The numbers are some of the highest of the 34 states currently reporting cases, according to the CDC
Known for causing watery diarrhea, nausea and stomach pains, cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a parasite often linked to contaminated food and water
Anyone experiencing frequent, watery diarrhea is being urged to contact their healthcare provider and “specifically request testing for cyclospora as routine stool tests may miss the parasite,” health officials said
Treatment for confirmed infections will include antibiotics, but those who contract it should also be prepared to rest and drink fluids to maintain hydration
