Cyclosporiasis outbreak expands to nine states linked to Mexican iceberg lettuce

Nine states now report related cyclosporiasis illnesses tied to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, with Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania added to existing cases in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia; the CDC says 1,947 people infected ate Taco Bell, and illnesses began June 22 and continued through July 20. Health officials report more than 12,000 related cyclosporiasis cases this summer across these states, mostly in Michigan; Taylor Farms recalled shredded lettuce processed in central Mexico shipped to 27 states as FDA and Mexican authorities investigate the contamination. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, weight loss, cramps, bloating and fatigue, and total US cyclosporiasis cases remain higher this year than usual.