“You cannot thin a system, defer the tools that would speed it up, and then wonder why the public is left guessing,” writes epidemiologist Katrine Wallace.

The source of the current US outbreak is unknown, but in the past, cyclosporiasis has been linked to raspberries, basil, snow peas, green onions, and lettuce.

The foodborne gastrointestinal illness has shown up in 31 states, and federal health officials say 86 people have been hospitalized.

Michigan officials are looking into lettuce as a possible source