US declares record multi-state cyclospora outbreak over
US health officials say the country's largest-ever multi-state cyclospora outbreak, tied to contaminated Mexican iceberg lettuce, has ended after infecting nearly 13,000 people. Investigations into the supplier continue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Friday that the largest multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak ever recorded in the United States has come to an end. The illness was caused by the cyclospora parasite found in processed iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in central Mexico.
The contaminated lettuce was linked to 12,883 infections across 21 states, resulting in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths. The CDC said there is no longer any risk from this particular source, since all affected products have passed their best-by dates and are no longer sold in stores or restaurants.
Before the recall of the packaged lettuce, the outbreak had peaked at more than 1,000 new infections in a single day. By August, the average had dropped to fewer than two infections per day.
In total, between 1 May and 8 September, the CDC recorded 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases nationwide, of which 12,883 were tied to the tainted lettuce. Cases appeared in 49 states and Washington DC. The median age of patients was 46, with women making up 56% of cases and men 44%. Michigan was hit hardest, logging more than 14,000 cases and two deaths, followed by Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Although the CDC has closed the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its investigation into Taylor Farms de Mexico, as well as other cyclospora clusters from this summer, remains ongoing. In a letter to supply chain leaders, the FDA urged the produce industry to build on existing prevention efforts, stressing consistent application of agricultural water management, worker hygiene, and sanitation practices, along with strong supplier verification.
The CDC continues to advise the public to wash hands thoroughly and rinse fresh produce under running water before eating, cutting or cooking it, to trim away any damaged or bruised parts, and to cook produce to at least 158F (70C) where possible, since washing alone cannot guarantee the parasite is removed. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically appear about a week after infection and include watery, sometimes severe diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, stomach cramps, bloating and gas, with less common symptoms including vomiting, body aches, headaches and low-grade fever.
