Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak passes 13,900 cases, hospitalizations climb

Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak has reached 13,909 cases and 314 hospitalizations as of Aug. 13, according to the state health department. That marks an increase of 35 hospitalizations in the past week, up from 279 as of Aug. 6.

State officials began tracking the outbreak on June 22 after a spike in cases first surfaced in Monroe County. It has since spread to 70 counties, with Southeast Michigan hit hardest. Oakland and Wayne counties have each logged more than 1,000 cases, while Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties have each reported more than 300.

Two deaths have been reported among patients with significant underlying health conditions whose illness began before July 17. Michigan health officials said Aug. 6 that residents can resume normal handling and consumption of lettuce and salad greens, saying the outbreak appears to be fading, a view echoed by federal health officials.

The rate of new cases is slowing compared with earlier weeks, though officials say additional cases could still be confirmed as the investigation continues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked some cases nationally to iceberg lettuce from a Mexico-based supplier, though officials say multiple separate clusters of the illness are active across the country.

Read the full story at cbsnews.com.