KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Cheshire Medical Center has treated 34 patients who have tested positive for the cyclospora parasite since the national outbreak began, according to the latest update from Dartmouth Health.

Of those 34 patients, 28 reported eating food from the Cheshire Medical cafeteria salad bar before Taylor Farms products were removed from service. Twenty-one of those 28 patients are hospital employees.

Hospital officials say the latest positive test from Cheshire Medical’s laboratory was recorded Thursday, July 30. No additional positive cyclospora results have been reported from the hospital’s lab since then.

The updated figures represent an increase from the 30 confirmed cases reported by Cheshire Medical on July 29. At that time, officials said the additional positive results reflected delayed testing of people who had already been experiencing symptoms, rather than evidence of a continuing increase in new infections.

The outbreak has been linked to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce that was served at the hospital cafeteria salad bar. The products were removed after the nationwide recall, and the salad bar remains closed.

Dartmouth Health has previously cautioned that not every person who tests positive at Cheshire Medical necessarily contracted the parasite from the hospital cafeteria. Cyclospora is also circulating in the broader community, and public health officials are investigating cases and potential outbreaks beyond those associated with the recalled lettuce.

Cyclospora is an intestinal parasite that causes cyclosporiasis. The illness is generally spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite and is not transmitted directly from person to person.

Symptoms can include prolonged watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue.

Cheshire Medical continues to work with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services as the investigation into the outbreak continues.