Key facts
- Cyclosporiasis cases linked to iceberg lettuce have been reported in 15 U.S. states.
- The CDC added Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina to the list of affected states.
- Taylor Farms is identified as the source of the contaminated iceberg lettuce, leading to a recall of product grown in central Mexico.
- Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness, typically watery diarrhea.
- Public health officials note challenges in investigating cyclospora outbreaks due to incubation periods and resource limitations.
The number of U.S. states linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak associated with iceberg lettuce has grown to 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six states—Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina—were newly added to the list. Investigators have focused on Taylor Farms as the source of the lettuce, leading the company to recall iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness, often characterized by watery diarrhea, and outbreaks typically occur in late spring and summer. Public health officials note that investigating these outbreaks can be challenging due to the parasite's incubation period, laboratory analysis difficulties, and potential resource limitations within public health departments. This year's outbreak has surpassed previous years in terms of reported cases, with over 25,000 cases nationally and more than 12,000 in Michigan alone, including two deaths. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracking five separate cyclospora outbreaks, with the 15-state outbreak being the largest.