More than 24,000 cyclosporiasis infections reported as new cases appear to slow: CDC

Cases of cyclosporiasis have topped 24,000, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are at least 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, including 740 hospitalizations, the data shows.

The agency is also aware of at least 10,455 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed.

The rate of increase appears to have slowed, with only about 2,000 more cases recorded over the last week. The previous week saw more than 22,000 cases recorded, a jump of over 10,000 from the week prior.

The CDC data, which was released on Tuesday, shows the ages of those who have fallen ill range between 1 and 98 years old.

There is a six-week reporting lag between when people feel sick and case reporting to the CDC, indicating that numbers will likely continue to rise.

It comes amid an outbreak now linked to now-recalled iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms that has spread to at least 15 states.

A total of 6,358 illnesses has now been reported across those states amid the outbreak, and at least 278 hospitalizations.

"The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," a notice from the Food and Drug Administration investigation reads.

Two deaths have been reported in Michigan in the cyclosporiasis outbreak, both individuals with significant underlying health conditions, health officials in the state said this week.

Originally, illnesses were isolated to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell in nine states. However, health officials have found that the lettuce was also distributed to food services, retail stores and restaurants.

The lettuce was sourced in central Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms. Last month, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.