Here’s what to know about recalled lettuce, symptoms and when to seek medical care.
Washtenaw County has reported 786 cases of cyclosporiasis and 33 hospitalizations as Michigan’s outbreak continues to grow.
Michigan reported 8,176 cases as of Friday morning, an increase of 512 from Thursday. The state reported 160 hospitalizations as of July 23.
State officials say lettuce or salad greens may be a source of the broader Michigan outbreak, but other foods have not been ruled out. No specific product, grower or supplier has been identified as the source of all Michigan cases.
Because symptoms can take two weeks or longer to appear, additional cases may be identified after suspected products are removed from stores and restaurants. Recent illnesses also can take several weeks to classify as part of an outbreak.
Check for Recalled Lettuce
Taylor Farms de Mexico has recalled all iceberg lettuce it sourced from central Mexico. The lettuce was distributed to consumers, restaurants and retailers in at least 27 states, including Michigan.
Retail products named in the recall include Marketside Iceberg Salad in 12- and 24-ounce packages and Marketside Shredded Lettuce in 8- and 16-ounce packages. Affected packages have “Best if Used By” dates from July 18 through Aug. 3.
Consumers should not eat recalled lettuce. They should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. Refrigerator shelves, containers and other surfaces that may have touched the lettuce should be washed with hot, soapy water or cleaned in a dishwasher.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked at least 1,947 illnesses and 98 hospitalizations in nine states to the recalled lettuce. No deaths have been reported.
The CDC added four states to that investigation Friday as officials continued reviewing cases and interviewing people who became sick. The illnesses included in the investigation began between June 22 and July 20.
The lettuce-linked cluster does not account for every cyclosporiasis case under investigation. Federal officials are investigating other outbreaks and illnesses nationally that are unrelated to the recalled lettuce.
Watch for Symptoms
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora. Its most common symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include cramping, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and a low-grade fever.
Symptoms usually begin about a week after infection but can appear from two days to two weeks or longer afterward. Without treatment, the illness can last a month or longer, and symptoms may improve before returning.
People experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider. Routine stool tests do not always screen for Cyclospora, so patients may need to ask whether specific testing is appropriate.
Michigan Medicine physicians recommend emergency care for severe abdominal pain, a high fever or signs of serious dehydration, including severe dizziness or fainting. People should not take antidiarrheal medicine unless directed by a health care provider.
Health officials recommend washing hands and produce thoroughly under running water. Washing alone cannot guarantee the parasite has been removed, but cooking produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit can kill Cyclospora.
Anyone contacted by public health officials should respond and provide information about what they ate before becoming sick. Those interviews can help investigators identify contaminated products and prevent additional illnesses.
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