Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce tied to 3 more states, FDA says

Key Points:

• Parasitic illness cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce have been confirmed in 20 states, with the number of cyclosporiasis infections rising to 11,458, marking the largest outbreak of its kind in the U.S.
• Three new states affected are Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, adding to the previously impacted states including Michigan, where two deaths have occurred among individuals with significant underlying health conditions.
• The outbreak has been traced to iceberg lettuce grown at a farm in central Mexico operated by Taylor Farms, a major U.S. produce supplier, which was last inspected by the FDA seven years ago.
• The FDA, CDC, and Mexican officials are continuing inspections and testing at the farm and have stated confidence that all recalled lettuce linked to the outbreak has been removed from the market.
• Cyclospora, the parasite causing cyclosporiasis, spreads through fecal contamination and commonly causes severe diarrhea; outbreaks typically occur in late spring and summer and are less common than other foodborne illnesses.