Largest U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak Declared Over
U.S. health officials have declared the largest cyclospora food poisoning outbreak in the country’s history over, after nearly 13,000 reported cases were linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce distributed across 21 states. The Food and Drug Administration said recalled lettuce associated with the outbreak is no longer available for sale.
Federal investigators focused on lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and grown in central Mexico. The company recalled thousands of packaged salad products containing iceberg lettuce and other vegetables. Those products had been sent to major restaurant chains operated by Yum Brands, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.
Michigan recorded the highest number of cases and the two deaths connected to the outbreak. No related illnesses were identified in Canada, where cyclospora infections have appeared in smaller, sporadic clusters in recent years.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an illness commonly marked by watery diarrhea, bloating, fever and nausea. It spreads through human feces and can contaminate produce through polluted soil or water. Cases typically rise during late spring and summer.
Since May 1, authorities have received nearly 20,000 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, along with more than 6,100 suspected cases. That confirmed total is more than 16 times the number reported during the same period last year. By comparison, the previous annual record was approximately 4,700 cases in 2019. Thousands of this year’s infections have not been connected to the lettuce outbreak.
Although the FDA has concluded its inspections and sample collection at farms and a processing facility in Mexico, laboratory analysis remains underway. Officials have not yet determined how contamination occurred on such a large scale. The outbreak has also renewed attention on the declining number of international inspections conducted by U.S. regulators before imported produce reaches consumers. The FDA said pending results may help answer remaining questions.