Michigan’s cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to 3,762 cases since June 22, state health officials said Wednesday.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said testing on July 13 pointed to lettuce and salad greens as a potential source, though other produce has not been completely ruled out, and investigators have not yet identified a specific grower or supplier.
The outbreak is not limited to Michigan.
The CDC and state health departments are investigating a nationwide surge, with clusters of cases linked across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
What is cyclosporiasis — and why is it so hard to avoid?
Cyclosporiasis is a disease caused by a parasite.
Symptoms include explosive diarrhea, cramping, and nausea and can show up anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.
Food safety expert Marler Clark says the parasite is stubborn.
“The little parasite is a tough little guy. It’s got a hard shell. It’s sticky. It’s really impossible to wash off fresh fruits and vegetables,” Clark said. “But it does die when you cook it.”
He said the bottom line: think before you order.
“Instead of ordering a salad, I would order cooked vegetables,” Clark said.
Detroit restaurants are making real-time changes
The outbreak is hitting some businesses hard.
At 7 Greens in downtown Detroit, employee Nyrianna Kelly said customer traffic has slowed noticeably.
“It’s been really slow. Usually, we are busy throughout the week,” Kelly said.
To keep customers safe, 7 Greens moved from double-washing to triple-washing all produce.
Kelly said one thing is working in their favor: their greens come straight from local farmers, not pre-bagged.
“From farmer to fridge,” Kelly said.
Aaron Schmit said the outbreak crossed his mind, but not enough to change his routine.
“I mean, yeah, there’s a thought of, ‘Oh man, am I going to regret this?’ But not enough to change my behavior,” Schmit said.
Some restaurants pulling salads entirely
Other restaurants are making more dramatic changes. Clinton Hometown Pizza said on Facebook that it removed salads from its menu. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J2qK1PNZu/
The Ivy Table in Brighton is avoiding pre-cut lettuce altogether, choosing to wash and chop greens in-house instead. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BmGKGERhG/
What health officials are recommending
The MDHHS is urging restaurants and commercial kitchens in southeast Michigan to take extra precautions with fresh produce, including washing it under clean running water and cooking it whenever possible.
If you can cook it or peel it, health officials say it’s much safer.
Investigators say they are confident that with the growing number of reported cases, they will eventually identify a specific source.