LANSING, MICHIGAN — Michigan health officials are struggling to investigate more than 8,100 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as staffing shortages and reduced federal funding strain the state’s outbreak response.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 8,176 confirmed cases Friday, including 160 hospitalizations. Michigan is the hardest-hit state in a nine-state outbreak linked partly to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell restaurants. The FDA continues investigating additional possible sources.
Taylor Farms removed lettuce sourced from central Mexico, while Taco Bell stopped using the implicated supplier nationwide.
Michigan lost 23 infectious-disease workers and 123 county health employees after the Trump administration canceled approximately $12 billion in pandemic-era grants to states. Local departments are borrowing workers from other health programs and recruiting volunteers to conduct patient interviews that can take up to 45 minutes each.
Washtenaw County is investigating more than 770 cases, while Oakland and Ingham counties have reported roughly 710 and 700, respectively. Officials said the volume has delayed investigations and reduced time available for other public-health services.
Federal officials dispute claims of poor coordination, saying the CDC and FDA communicate daily with affected states. Michigan officials say cases may continue rising, although the outbreak’s epidemic curve appears to be leveling.
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