Michigan lifts lettuce caution as parasite outbreak cases decline

Michigan health officials said Thursday that residents no longer need to avoid bagged salads, as cases of cyclosporiasis continue to decline statewide. The state has reported 12,485 cases of the parasitic illness since June, including 279 hospitalizations and two deaths, the most of any state in a nationwide surge.

Officials said case reports are slowing, including a drop in diarrhea-related emergency department visits, and that most people sickened were exposed in late June to early July. The state health department said the majority of contaminated produce is likely no longer available for purchase.

The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, which voluntarily recalled all of its iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico on July 17. That lettuce reached restaurants and retailers, including select Walmart stores selling it under the Marketside brand, in 27 states. The CDC said Wednesday that 15 states have been connected to the outbreak.

Michigan officials advised residents to continue avoiding any recalled lettuce and recommended buying whole heads of lettuce or salad greens rather than bagged salads, discarding outer leaves and thoroughly washing remaining leaves before eating.

Read the full story at nbcnews.com.