COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that the state’s record-breaking cyclosporiasis outbreak is finally showing signs of leveling off, with daily new infections slowing significantly.
State health officials reported 6,571 cumulative cases on their cyclosporiasis dashboard on Tuesday , marking an increase of just under 200 new cases from the previous day.
While still substantial, this increase represents a sharp decline from earlier this month, when health agencies tracked more than 1,000 new cases over a single weekend and hit a peak of 706 cases recorded in one day on July 13.
Total hospitalizations currently hold steady at 102 patients, with no deaths reported across the 65 affected Michigan counties.
Epidemiologist Megan Fischer says that the apparent plateau aligns with the recent voluntary product recall initiated by California-based supplier Taylor Farms, whose shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has been identified as a primary source of the outbreak.
Because the Cyclospora parasite has an incubation period of up to two weeks before causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, experts predicted cases would begin to trend downward shortly after the contaminated produce was removed from the supply chain.
Food safety investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue to trace alternative subclusters, while local health departments advise consumers to remain vigilant and thoroughly wash raw fruits and vegetables before consumption.
The number of reported cases in Branch and surrounding counties has gone unchanged since late last week.
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