Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Linked to Iceberg Lettuce Spreads to 20 US States

Federal health officials have confirmed that a parasitic illness outbreak, traced to recalled iceberg lettuce, has now spread across 20 states in the United States.

As of Thursday, the total number of individuals affected by the parasite has risen to 11,458, an increase from the approximately 10,900 reported the previous week. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments, has centered its investigation on iceberg lettuce cultivated at a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico. Taylor Farms is a significant supplier of agricultural products in the U.S.

FDA personnel are continuing to inspect and analyze products at the farm in cooperation with Mexican government officials. The agency stated it "remains confident that all iceberg lettuce recalled in connection with this specific cyclospora outbreak is no longer available for sale."

The parasite, Cyclospora, typically causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. Outbreaks are more common in late spring and summer. The parasite infects the intestines and spreads through feces. While less common than foodborne illnesses from germs like salmonella or E. coli, many Cyclospora cases go unlinked to a specific food source. This year's U.S. outbreak has already seen close to 29,000 confirmed or suspected cases and 922 hospitalizations, far exceeding the previous record of about 4,700 cases in 2019.

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remains confident that all iceberg lettuce recalled in connection with this specific cyclospora outbreak is no longer available for sale.