Key facts
- US health authorities declared an end to the record cyclosporiasis outbreak.
- Nearly 20,000 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported across 49 states and Washington D.C.
- Over 1,000 hospitalizations were linked to the outbreak.
- The outbreak was attributed to contaminated iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms.
- Two deaths in Michigan were linked to the outbreak, involving individuals with significant underlying health conditions.
US health authorities have declared an end to the largest recorded outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Friday that cases had "significantly declined," marking the conclusion of an outbreak that affected nearly 20,000 people across 49 states and Washington D.C., and resulted in over 1,000 hospitalizations. The CDC is continuing to investigate the precise cause, but officials have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico by Taylor Farms, a significant supplier for US food retailers. In response, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of lettuce sourced from central Mexico, and Taco Bell removed lettuce from the implicated supplier from its menu. Cyclosporiasis is spread through contaminated food or water and can cause severe diarrhea, though deaths are uncommon. Health officials in Michigan reported two deaths, both involving individuals with significant underlying health conditions that may have been exacerbated by the infection and dehydration.