Michigan health officials say new cases of cyclosporiasis are declining in the state hit hardest by an outbreak that has sickened more than 12,000 people and left two dead in the state since June.
The state’s health department said new case reports are slowing and diarrhea-related emergency department visits are trending downward. The drop in cases prompted officials to lift their broad recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes. But Michigan continues to recommend avoiding recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico sourced from central Mexico.
Michigan officials said they believe most of their exposures took place in late June to early July and that most contaminated produce is probably no longer available for consumption.
Cyclospora infections typically cause symptoms about seven days after exposure, although symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear. The health department said residents can now return to routine food-safety guidance for handling and consuming produce, including lettuce and salad greens.
Michigan said it will continue monitoring for signs that additional contaminated products have entered the food supply. The state is also shifting its reporting of outbreak data to once a week, on Thursdays.
Michigan is among 15 states that federal health officials have linked to that specific outbreak involving shredded lettuce from central Mexico. But federal officials say 32 other states have reported thousands of cases of cyclosporiasis. Investigations are underway into those outbreaks, which are separate from the 15-state outbreak.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.