Investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Yum Brands’ Taco Bell restaurants by California-based supplier ​Taylor Farms as a possible source of the parasite that has impacted thousands of people across the country.

Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite, has affected approximately 7,000 people in over 30 states.

KSBW 8 shared further:

Cases of the intestinal illness, caused by a microscopic parasite, are surging across the U.S., with nearly 7,000 cases confirmed or under investigation since May 1, according to data published Tuesday by the CDC. Confirmed cases alone are more than six times higher than they were at this time last year, and there have been at least 141 hospitalizations.

The outbreak linked to the lettuce, however, is considered to be a regional one, centered in the Midwest.

The CDC has identified at least 400 cases associated with the outbreak across four states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. These cases are among people who reported symptoms on or after June 22, the agency said in an update Tuesday.

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The Michigan state health department has reported more than 4,300 cases of cyclospora during the outbreak investigation. Michigan said it has interviewed more than 1,000 people as part of its investigation and had previously noted that lettuce or salad greens may be a potential source for the outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis is not usually spread directly from person to person. Instead, people can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, the CDC says.

“While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure,” Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement, according to the outlet.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities,” it added.

Fox News has more:

“Cyclosporiasis is not generally a life-threatening illness for most people,” Tammy Lundstrom, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health in Michigan, told Fox News Digital.

“The biggest concern is that it can cause severe, prolonged diarrhea that may last for weeks or even longer if it’s not diagnosed and treated.”

People should seek medical attention if they have lasting, severe diarrhea. The symptoms can be very prolonged in people with compromised immune systems, Lundstrom noted.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the parasite has been primarily identified in packaged lettuce and salad bags, but no particular brand has been pinpointed.

“In the meantime, the best strategy is to wash lettuce and all salad greens thoroughly and to wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that “the chances of acquiring it still remains extremely low.”

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