Overview
- Federal and state data updated Aug. 12 show more than 24,000 reported illnesses with about 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases and hundreds of hospitalizations nationwide.
- Investigators have epidemiologically linked the largest cluster to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and the company issued a voluntary recall of affected central Mexico lots in July.
- The rate of new reports has slowed in the most recent week but authorities say counts will likely rise because many infections take weeks to be reported and Cyclospora tests and food testing are limited.
- Michigan has been hit hardest with more than 12,000 cases and two reported deaths among people with serious underlying conditions, and health officials are urging clinicians to test for Cyclospora in persistent diarrheal illness.
- Retailers and restaurants have pulled recalled lettuce, consumers are shifting some purchases to local produce, and investigators continue tracebacks and targeted product testing while explaining that Cyclospora must mature in the environment and is hard to detect on produce.