Massachusetts reports rise in cyclosporiasis cases as lettuce recall continues
The state health department confirmed 147 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, part of a national outbreak exceeding 22,000 cases, while a recall of iceberg lettuce from Mexico remains in effect.
Massachusetts health officials have confirmed 147 cases of cyclosporiasis, a diarrhoea-causing parasitic infection, bringing the state's total to between 50 and 199 laboratory-confirmed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationwide, the CDC reports more than 22,000 cases, including 10,468 confirmed infections and 12,255 probable or under-investigation cases, with additional reports from state health departments.
While some states such as Illinois have seen a decline in new infections, overall case numbers continue to climb. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation, but the CDC says traceback data links the infections to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms.
A recall of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico remains active after a false-positive test earlier this week. Taco Bell has removed the implicated lettuce from its local outlets and national supply chain, and the nation's largest food distributor, Sysco, has withdrawn all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico at the supplier's request.