Cyclospora outbreak lettuce spreads to nine states, nearly 2,000 sickened

Cyclospora outbreak lettuce expands to nine states

Federal health officials confirm a Cyclospora outbreak lettuce linked to iceberg lettuce is now affecting nine U.S. states, up from five previously identified. The parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis infiltrates the body through contaminated produce or water, triggering gastrointestinal distress.

States reporting cases include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. So far ↑ 1,947 individuals have fallen ill, with ↓ 98 hospitalizations and no recorded deaths.

Supply chain trace leads to Taylor Farms

Investigators traced the contaminated shredded lettuce to a single supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company has withdrawn all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and issued a voluntary recall. The FDA lists the affected product codes on its website.

“We expect case numbers to rise as reporting lags up to six weeks,” the FDA warned.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers that received the recalled lettuce should discard it immediately. For ongoing updates, see Reuters and the CDC.

Words by: Isla Thorne

Guest Technology Correspondent
(Note: Isla Thorne is covering this desk while Dr. Silas Mercer is recovering from the flu.)