Health officials are delving into the origins of a virulent stomach illness, as the U.S. grapples with an outbreak that has led cases to skyrocket beyond normal levels. The state of Michigan, which has been hit hardest, is at the forefront of this investigation.
In Michigan alone, health authorities report over 2,640 individuals have been affected by cyclosporiasis. Preliminary investigations suggest that lettuce or salad greens could be the culprits behind this alarming health issue.
Currently, no particular type, grower, or supplier has been officially pinpointed as the source of the outbreak.
Despite the lack of a clear source, rumors swirl that Taco Bell might be under scrutiny. According to insiders who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity, both federal and state health officials are examining the possibility that the popular fast-food chain might be a link in the outbreak chain.
While Michigan usually reports only 40 to 50 cases of cyclosporiasis annually, the current outbreak is pushing national numbers towards an unsettling total of over 4,000 cases.
And it is possible there are more undiagnosed cases in other states as well, as not everyone who contracts the parasite gets tested or treated for it.
‘Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,’ said Dr Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
‘Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation.’
Cyclosporiasis leads to sudden and severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting and fatigue
Last week, Taco Bell pulled several ingredients from its menu, posting notices at several locations in the US, including in Michigan, saying it will not serve lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole or cilantro onion.
The posted notices read: ‘We are currently unable to sell lettuce, cilantro onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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‘Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.’
It is not clear what recall the company was referring to. No food recalls have been issued in connection with the spread of cyclosporiasis cases.
Items that include at least one of these ingredients are tacos, the Crunchwrap Supreme and certain Cantina Chicken items.
It’s unclear if any Taco Bell consumers have been sickened by cyclosporiasis.
Daily Mail contacted Taco Bell for comment and is awaiting response. The company has not issued any statement or response to the reports.
Cyclosporiasis, which tends to peak between May and August, is more common in people returning to the US from foreign travel and caused by the cyclospora parasite.
The infection leads to sudden and severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
It is typically acquired through eating or drinking food or beverages contaminated with the parasite, often from feces. Symptoms usually occur about a week after exposure.
Human-to-human transmission is rare.
Thirty-eight states have confirmed cyclosporiasis cases to the Daily Mail, both domestically and internationally acquired.
Data from the CDC is delayed and shows just 843 domestic cases with 86 hospitalizations across 31 states. The agency said it ‘is aware of more than 1,500 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.’
Federal and state health officials are allegedly now investigating Taco Bell as a possible source, two people familiar with the investigation told The Washington Post
Data from the CDC appears to be delayed as it shows just over 840 cases. However, 38 state departments have confirmed nearly 4,000 domestically and internationally acquired cases of the cyclospora parasite in the US
Michigan health officials have said they’ve interviewed more than 1,000 people infected with the parasite to investigate the source of the outbreak, but more coordination is needed between state and federal health partners.
‘We really need that kind of coordination to happen at the national level,’ Bagdasarian said.
‘As soon as other states get their numbers to the CDC, we hope they can take a broader look to see whether these outbreaks are related.’
Previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the US have been connected to bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.
If not treated, cyclosporiasis could last for more than a month, with symptoms subsiding and reappearing multiple times.
To prevent cyclosporiasis, the CDC recommends avoiding consuming food or water at risk of contamination with feces and following general food safety preparation guidelines.
Treatment consists of a course of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim.
Most people with a healthy immune system will recover without any treatment.