Cyclospora outbreak nears 16,000 cases, driven by lettuce-linked cluster

CDC reports 15,716 lab-confirmed cyclospora infections across 47 states and DC since May 1, with cases still rising but the weekly increase slowing. Two deaths and 828 hospitalizations have occurred, and about 11,841 suspected cases await confirmation due to a six-week reporting lag. The largest cluster is linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, causing 9,481 cases and 398 hospitalizations across 17 states as of Aug. 13, while multiple other clusters remain under investigation.