CDC says outbreak is in nine states

Key Points:

• The largest multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states, including Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, with nearly 2,000 reported cases connected to Taco Bell consumption.
• The outbreak, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has resulted in widespread gastrointestinal illness but no deaths, with symptoms including severe diarrhea and some hospitalizations.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms' Mexican facility as the likely source, leading to a voluntary recall and removal of the lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants.
• Mexican health authorities reported negative tests for Cyclospora in lettuce and water samples from the facility, but the FDA maintains Taylor Farms lettuce as the probable outbreak source despite these results.
• Taylor Farms has faced criticism for its recall communication and handling of false positive test reports, while President Donald Trump controversially suggested imposing tariffs on Mexico over the lettuce issue.