Some Taco Bells cut items from menus due to explosive diarrhea bug
by Lisa Hornung · UPIJuly 9 (UPI) -- Some Taco Bell locations have removed ingredients from their menus amid the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Some locations have added signage saying they have stopped serving lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro and onion as cyclospora continues to plague the United States.
It's unclear if any Taco Bell customers have gotten sick from the parasite.
The parasite is called Cyclospora cayetanensis and can cause cyclosporiasis, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says causes "watery diarrhea" and "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements" that can last for a month or more.
It often surges in the summer, but has been more prevalent in some states this year. There have been almost 1,000 cases in Michigan since June 22, the state's Department of Health and Human Services have said. It usually sees about 50.
There have also been spikes in Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Texas and Illinois.
Health officials are saying to thoroughly wash fresh produce, kitchen utensils and surfaces, and cook raw produce.