102 in Michigan hospitalized with cyclosporiasis. Restaurants respond

At least 102 people in Michigan have been hospitalized since June 22 in an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, the state health department reported Thursday, July 16.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also reported 4,312 cases statewide Thursday of the fast-moving gastrointestinal illness, which has sickened hundreds — if not thousands — of others in 34 states as well.

As cyclosporiasis case counts climb, and public health investigators scramble to find a source, Americans are carefully considering the food they're eating. That's especially true when it comes to fresh produce, which can be contaminated by the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis and has been implicated in previous outbreaks of the gut-churning disease.

The popular fast food chain Taco Bell has responded, too.

More: Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak is growing. Here's everything you need to know.

More: Several Taco Bells stop serving lettuce as cyclosporiasis cases rise

Earlier this month, it removed lettuce and cilantro from some of its Michigan restaurants in what the company said was a precautionary move.

Taco Bell Corp. said it "voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients" at select restaurants. The fast food chain added that public health officials haven't "confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer."

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, said public health investigators are zeroing in on lettuce and other salad greens as potential sources of a massive outbreak, but "we do not have a definite product identified as the source."

Other restaurants appear to be seeing ripple effects from the outbreak as well.

Shares of Chipotle dropped nearly 5% on Wednesday, July 15, even though the chain has not been connected to the national wave of cyclosporiasis illnesses.

Chipotle officials said they don't believe their ingredients have been affected by the outbreak.

“We are aware of the Cyclospora investigation and at this time, we don’t believe the ingredients we source are associated," Laurie Schalow, Chipotle's chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, said in a statement. "We are monitoring the situation closely and evaluating any new information as it becomes available. The health and safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority.”

Food safety breaches can quickly sour consumers and investors on a brand or restaurant, experts said.

"Food safety continues to be a top priority for the American public," said Maria Helen Kalaitzandonakes, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Free Press food writer Susan Selasky contributed to this report.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.