CDC Highlights Cyclospora Outbreak Spread to Nine States
Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce spreads to nine states.
1Cyclospora Outbreak Spreads to Nine States
The CDC announced that the Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has spread to nine states. The outbreak has affected Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, in addition to Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Michigan.
2What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water. It causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness with symptoms like severe diarrhea. No deaths related to the outbreak have been reported this year.
3Scale of the Outbreak
This outbreak is the largest Cyclospora outbreak recorded in the U.S. this year. Thousands of cases have been reported nationwide, far exceeding the typical annual range of 200-1000 cases.
4FDA's Investigation
The FDA is investigating a separate Cyclospora outbreak linked to an unidentified food product or products. The U.S. is working to identify the sources of the parasite and contain its spread.
5Taylor Farms and Taco Bell
The FDA identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its Mexico facility to Taco Bell restaurants. Taylor Farms has issued a voluntary recall for all lettuce from its Guanajuato facility.
6Impact of the Outbreak
The CDC has recorded 1,947 people infected with Cyclospora who reported eating at Taco Bell in the nine states. Illnesses linked to the outbreak began on June 22 and continued through July 20.