Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Has Widened To 15 States, Report Says-What To Know
Key Points:
- The current status of the cyclosporiasis outbreak remains uncertain, as symptoms can take weeks to appear and it may take up to six weeks to confirm if cases are linked to the outbreak.
- Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, leading to severe diarrhea; it is generally not fatal, though two deaths in Michigan involved individuals with significant underlying health issues.
- The CDC has identified Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico, distributed to Taco Bell and retail stores in 27 states, as a potential source, but cases likely stem from multiple sources due to the difficulty in detecting the parasite on produce.
- Recalls have been issued for shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms across numerous states, and Taco Bell has temporarily halted serving lettuce and other fresh produce items linked to the outbreak.
- Consumers are advised to follow safety guidelines to avoid cyclosporiasis, including proper washing of produce and staying informed about recalls and outbreak updates.