Michigan residents can resume routine guidance on eating lettuce and salad greens, state health officials said Thursday, as cyclosporiasis cases begin to decline.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported on Aug. 6 that there have been 12,485 cases of cyclosporiasis in the state since its investigation began in June. The department said data suggests that new cyclosporiasis case reports are slowing, including a downward trend in diarrhea-related emergency room visits.
People exposed to cyclosporiasis start feeling sick seven days after exposure, but symptoms could take up to 14 days to appear.
According to state health officials, data suggest that most exposures happened in late June to early July, and the majority of the contaminated produce is likely no longer available for consumption, given the seven-day average incubation period.
Based on the data, MDHHS said Michiganders can return to routine guidance for handling produce, including lettuce and salad greens. The precautionary recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes during the outbreak is no longer in effect.
Detailed information about routine guidance on handling produce can be found on CDC’s website.
MDHHS will continue to report all outbreak data weekly on Thursdays and said residents should continue to avoid recalled lettuce.