CDC links Cyclospora outbreak to iceberg lettuce in 15 states

U.S. health officials announced Wednesday that Cyclospora infections in 15 states have been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms, increasing the number of affected states from nine to 15. The states added to the list are Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina, joining Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The outbreak, first associated with lettuce served at a fast-food chain, prompted Taylor Farms to recall its iceberg lettuce. The Food and Drug Administration initially reported a false-positive test on a sample but later reaffirmed that evidence continues to point to the farm’s shredded lettuce.

"I don't think we can say that this is under control yet," said Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist for Hartford HealthCare, noting that other produce could also be involved.

Public-health officials explained that Cyclospora investigations are challenging because symptoms can appear weeks after exposure, laboratory analysis is complex, and extensive interviews are required to identify common sources. Staffing cuts across federal, state and local health agencies have further limited response capacity, according to Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of health departments in Michigan.

The parasite causes watery diarrhea and typically peaks in late spring and summer. While Cyclospora infections are less common than those caused by Salmonella or E. coli, this year’s case count has exceeded the previous high of about 4,700 reported in 2019. Michigan alone has recorded more than 12,000 cases, including two deaths among patients with serious underlying conditions, and the national total now exceeds 25,000.