Mississippi reports five new cases of Cyclospora infection

The Mississippi State Department of Health said five cases of cyclosporiasis have been identified across the coastal, Delta and Pine Belt regions. State epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson noted that none of the Mississippi cases appear to be connected to a larger outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, which has affected more than 1,600 people in those states.

Taylor Farms announced it is voluntarily withdrawing all iceberg lettuce from a central Mexico farm from the U.S. market.

"They just need to be aware and decrease their chances of becoming infected," Deputy State Epidemiologist Theresa Kittle said, emphasizing basic preventive measures.

Kittle advised residents to wash hands with soap and water after using the restroom and to thoroughly clean fresh produce before consumption, removing bruised portions and refrigerating food within two hours of preparation. She added that symptoms—watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping and loss of appetite—typically appear after at least a week and that the illness does not spread from person to person. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical care and inform the provider of their condition and duration.