Cyclospora outbreak may involve more than lettuce, former CDC lead says
NewsNation • • business
Key Points:
- Michigan has reported 9,253 cyclospora cases with 160 hospitalizations, contributing to a Midwest-wide outbreak now totaling nearly 12,000 cases across states.
- The CDC has confirmed over 4,000 laboratory cases, while a second separate cyclospora outbreak with unknown origin has sickened 72 people recently.
- Former CDC director Robert Redfield emphasized risks associated with fresh produce, particularly internationally sourced items, noting past outbreaks linked to produce from outside the continental U.S.
- The FDA traced the first outbreak to Taylor Farms, which sources lettuce from central Mexico, leading to a voluntary recall of products sold in 27 states and at Taco Bell; parsley and cilantro are also suspected.
- Experts, including Redfield and former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, believe other unidentified sources beyond central Mexico may be contributing to the ongoing outbreaks.
