Michigan reports 5,002 cyclosporiasis cases as officials seek outbreak source

July 17 (Reuters) - Michigan health officials reported 5,002 cases of cyclosporiasis on Friday, up 690 cases from a day earlier, as investigators continued efforts to identify the source of the unusually large outbreak of the intestinal illness.

The outbreak has led to 102 hospitalizations in the state as of July 16, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic intestinal infection linked to contaminated food, typically raw fruits and vegetables or water, and causes diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

This year's U.S. outbreak is larger and more widespread than previous outbreaks, prompting concern among health officials.

U.S. health agencies said on Thursday they are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that Taco Bell, owned by Yum Brands, will stop using lettuce from a supplier the agencies have linked to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.

The FDA said that according to CDC data, five states have reported a total of 1,644 people infected with the parasitic intestinal illness who also reported exposure to Taco Bell. There have been 94 hospitalizations and no reported deaths.

California-based supplier Taylor Farms will recall products linked to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to lettuce served at Taco Bell, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing a document.

The FDA said it was working with the identified supplier to determine whether potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market and has initiated the collection of product samples for testing and analysis.