15 states now linked to iceberg lettuce cyclospora outbreak, CDC says

A Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has spread to 15 U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina have been added to the list of affected states, bringing the total to 15. Previously, the states affected included Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The outbreak has resulted in over 25,000 reported cases nationally, with more than 12,000 cases in Michigan alone and two reported deaths. Federal investigators are focusing on lettuce recalled from Taylor Farms, which is believed to be the source of the contaminated produce. The lettuce originates from central Mexico.

Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County and Livingston County health departments in Michigan, explained that cyclospora outbreaks are challenging to investigate and contain due to the time lag between exposure and symptom onset, difficulties in laboratory analysis, and the need to interview numerous individuals to identify common exposures. Public health resources are also stretched thin due to staffing cuts at various levels.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements. Outbreaks typically occur during late spring and summer, when the heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. Cyclosporiasis is less common than other foodborne illnesses, such as those caused by salmonella and E. coli.

Many cases go unlinked to a specific food source. The worst year for cyclospora infections in the U.S. was 2019, with an estimated 4,700 reported illnesses. This year, however, has significantly surpassed that figure.