Missouri sees increase in parasitic cyclospora infections

Key Points:

• The Missouri Department of Health has identified over 80 cases of cyclospora, a parasite causing diarrhea, amid a nationwide outbreak linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, a producer previously connected to a 2024 E. coli outbreak in St. Louis.
• Federal officials have traced the cyclospora outbreak to lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in several states, with Taylor Farms reportedly supplying the implicated produce, though this has not been independently confirmed by St. Louis Public Radio.
• Taylor Farms has voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico from the U.S. market, despite the FDA traceback pointing to a specific farm responsible for less than 1% of U.S. iceberg lettuce supply.
• Lawsuits allege Taylor Farms supplied contaminated produce causing the 2024 St. Louis E. coli outbreak, which sickened 115 people, but the company denies these allegations; legal experts note it is unusual for federal agencies to withhold the name of the implicated processor.
• Cyclospora infections typically cause watery diarrhea, nausea, and dehydration, with most patients recovering without antibiotics, and Missouri health officials are currently uncertain if local cases are connected to outbreaks in other states.