The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pegged the number of domestically acquired, lab-confirmed U.S. cyclosporiasis cases since May 1 at 4,173 after federal and state officials examined outbreaks including a multistate one linked to lettuce.
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The CDC said on Tuesday it is also aware of more than 7,400 additional reported cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed and require further investigation. Many of the additional cases have been reported by Michigan and Ohio.
The CDC said 308 people with confirmed domestically acquired infections have been hospitalized. Cases have been reported in 41 states, with no deaths.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite. People can become infected after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue.
The CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are investigating an outbreak in five states linked to iceberg lettuce.
On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recall includes lettuce sold in retail stores, served in restaurants and distributed to food service customers.
The CDC said the number of confirmed cases is likely to increase due to reporting delays between the onset of illness and federal health officials being notified.
People with confirmed domestically acquired infections range from age 2 to 95, with a median age of 44, and 56% female. The median illness onset date was June 26.
The CDC also reported 767 travel-linked cases since May 1, with 33 hospitalizations and no deaths tied to contaminated food or water consumed outside the United States.
