US officials tie cyclospora outbreak involving iceberg lettuce to 3 more states

Federal health officials have confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection linked to recalled iceberg lettuce in three more states, bringing the total to 20 across the U.S. The outbreak, the largest of its kind in the country, now totals 11,458 cases, up from a previous count of approximately 10,900. The FDA, CDC, and state health authorities are investigating lettuce grown at a central Mexican farm operated by Taylor Farms, a major U.S. produce supplier.

The parasite, Cyclospora, causes severe diarrhea and tends to appear in the late spring and summer. The U.S. has seen about 29,000 confirmed or suspected cases this year, with 922 hospitalizations. Earlier outbreaks have been less severe, with 4,700 illnesses reported in 2019. Michigan recently reported two deaths related to Cyclospora.

Cuts to the CDC's foodborne disease surveillance network under the Trump administration may hinder efforts to investigate such outbreaks.