Michigan health officials are urging residents to avoid bagged lettuce and salad mixes while investigators work to identify the source of a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people in the state and more than 5,000 nationwide.
As of Tuesday (July 14), Michigan had reported more than 3,300 cases, making it one of the hardest-hit states in the multistate outbreak.
State Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said Michigan was among the first states to detect the outbreak.
“I think Michigan was really on the leading edge of this, either because we got produce a little bit earlier than some other places, but also because I think we were very proactive and we picked up on this,” Bagdasarian said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1 and is aware of more than 5,100 additional reported cases that require further analysis to determine whether they were acquired domestically.
Officials said the true number of illnesses is likely much higher because many people with mild symptoms do not seek medical care or get tested.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating several outbreaks linked to fresh produce. Federal officials have not identified a specific food item, brand, or supplier responsible for the illnesses.
The FDA said investigators are conducting traceback investigations involving multiple produce items in at least four Midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
“As soon as FDA has actionable information, we will work rapidly to ensure any contaminated product is removed from the market and guidance is communicated clearly to consumers,” the CDC said during a briefing.
The CDC said cases have been identified in 34 states and expects illnesses to continue increasing through the end of August, when the typical Cyclospora season ends.
The outbreak has prompted some Michigan shoppers to change their grocery habits.
“I’m having a real hard time shopping and deciding what to eat,” said Sonia Murden, whose sister recently became ill with cyclosporiasis.
“She’s been in the bathroom for three days,” Murden said.
Murden said she is avoiding fresh produce that could be linked to the outbreak.
“I had to get frozen fruit, canned vegetables just to be safe,” Murden said.
At grocery stores, some shoppers said they are avoiding pre-packaged greens altogether.
“I’m not buying any leafy greens that are pre-bagged,” said Anna Doubt. “If I buy lettuce like romaine, it’s already in a bunch, I’ll take off the first few layers.”
Murden said she plans to continue avoiding lettuce until investigators determine the source of the outbreak.
“No more lettuce for you for a while, no more lettuce for me for a while,” Murden said.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh produce.
Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue.
Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks or recur over time.