U.S. "Explosive Diarrhea" Outbreak Linked to Mexican Lettuce Spreads to 15 States

An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness characterized by "explosive diarrhea," is expanding across the United States, now affecting 15 states. Investigations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as reported by The Washington Post, point to shredded iceberg lettuce originating from central Mexico as the likely source.

Initially reported in nine states, the outbreak has seen a significant increase in cases, particularly in Missouri, which has recorded 1,095 cases. The lettuce under scrutiny was distributed by Taylor Farms from a plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, and supplied to Taco Bell restaurants. Patients in some affected states reported consuming food from Taco Bell before falling ill.

While two deaths have been linked to the outbreak in Michigan, authorities noted that the deceased individuals had pre-existing medical conditions that may have been exacerbated by the infection. Cyclosporiasis, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, leads to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and fever, with symptoms appearing one to two weeks after consuming contaminated products.

Taylor Farms has initiated a recall of the iceberg lettuce distributed between July 29 and July 16 to restaurants and retailers in 27 states. However, investigations in Mexico have not found the parasite in lettuce inspected at the Taylor Farms plant. U.S. authorities maintain their suspicion regarding the Mexican iceberg lettuce, despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation yielding a false positive result.

In some affected states, the outbreak is not linked to this specific lettuce, and Mexican cilantro and parsley are also being investigated as potential sources. The CDC continues to monitor the situation as the number of confirmed cases rises.