(ANGOLA) - Steuben County had 20 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases as of Thursday as the intestinal illness continued spreading across northeast Indiana.
Indiana's case dashboard also showed 36 infections in Allen County, 15 in Noble County and eight in DeKalb County.
Federal health officials are warning consumers not to eat Taco Bell food containing shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico at restaurants in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
The lettuce has been linked to an outbreak involving more than 1,644 illnesses and 94 hospitalizations. Taylor Farms de Mexico is removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and has informed the FDA that it will begin a recall. Taco Bell has stopped using lettuce from the supplier identified in the investigation.
The northeast Indiana totals do not mean every local infection is connected to Taco Bell or the same food source. Other cyclosporiasis cases and outbreaks remain under investigation.
What Is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. People generally become infected by consuming contaminated food or water.
Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure but can appear between two and 14 days later. They include frequent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss and dehydration.
Anyone with persistent or severe diarrhea should contact a healthcare provider and specifically mention possible Cyclospora exposure. Routine testing may not automatically screen for the parasite.
Washing produce may reduce contamination but does not reliably remove Cyclospora. Cooking produce to at least 160 degrees kills the parasite.