Cyclosporiasis

Cases of Cyclospora illness hit 500 in Florida for the week ending Aug. 29, according to a caseload update provided Thursday by the state Health Department.

New cases of Cyclospora illness are being reported down again in Florida with some counties reporting new cases but on a lesser number level.

For the second week in a row new cases of Cyclospora Illness are being reported down in Florida.

Parasitic illness cases in 15 states have been linked to iceberg lettuce. Cyclospora cases have been reported in at least 47 states this year, and investigators have continued to probe how many could be linked to a common contaminated source. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday the number of states tied to the deadly outbreak had grown from nine to 15. Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina were added to the list. Investigators initially narrowed in on lettuce served at Taco Bell. Federal officials subsequently said they are focused on Taylor Farms as the source. Florida cases climbed to 355, new report numbers show.

Michigan reports first 2 US deaths of people who had been sickened in outbreak of cyclospora.

Confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis continue to increase. Since May first, the Florida Department of Health has reported 158 cases, as of their latest update posted July 18.

A parasite that causes extreme diarrhea, seen in recent outbreaks across the country, has been documented in over 20 counties in Florida. But experts say there could be more cases than what has been reported.