Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Recalled Lettuce Spreads to 20 States

The scope of a cyclosporiasis outbreak, linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, has expanded to 20 states across the U.S., federal health officials announced Thursday. Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas are the latest states to report cases of the parasitic illness.

As of the latest update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the total number of people sickened in the outbreak has reached 11,458, a significant increase from approximately 10,900 reported the previous week. Tragically, two deaths have been associated with this outbreak, both occurring in Michigan. State health officials noted that the deceased individuals had "significant underlying health conditions."

The investigation by the FDA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health authorities has focused on lettuce grown at a farm in central Mexico operated by Taylor Farms, a major U.S. produce supplier. Records indicate the FDA last inspected this potential source, Taylor Farms de Mexico, seven years prior to the current outbreak.

FDA staff are continuing their inspections and testing of produce at the farm, collaborating with Mexican government officials. The agency stated it "remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce related to this specific cyclospora outbreak is off the market." Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that typically causes severe diarrhea. Outbreaks are most common in the late spring and summer months. The CDC reports that nationally, there have been about 17,180 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the U.S. this year, with 922 hospitalizations, far exceeding the previous record of roughly 4,700 illnesses in 2019.