Federal and state health officials are investigating Taco Bell over a possible role in an “explosive diarrhea” outbreak caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning that an outbreak of a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea and an infection called cyclosporiasis had spread to 17 states. That number has now doubled as 34 states have reported cases, with 141 people having been hospitalized.
On Tuesday, the CDC reported that investigators have discovered a probable epidemiological connection between cyclosporiasis cases in at least four Midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. In Michigan, notices posted last week at a number of Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants informed customers that the fast food chain was “currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall.”
The cyclosporiasis infection has hit Michigan especially hard
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there have been 3,762 cases of cyclosporiasis reported. Michigan typically reports 40 to 50 cases of cyclosporiasis annually.
“The health and safety of our guests is our top priority,” Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement. “Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.”
Although the CDC and FDA haven’t formally named Taco Bell or any other restaurant as the cause of the cyclosporiasis outbreaks, two officials who asked to remain anonymous told the Washington Post that Taco Bell restaurants are the subject of an official investigation.
“It’s good the chain has already voluntarily stopped serving a number of items,” a person familiar with the investigation said.
Interestingly, the CDC, which issued a national health alert on Tuesday, says it has only received reports of 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide. This is because certain states report probable and confirmed cases, while others withhold information until case investigations are complete.
Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases, said the agency is aware of more than 5,100 additional reports requiring further analysis.
“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” she said.