Expanded cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to central Mexico lettuce reaches six more states
The CDC says the cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms has expanded to six additional states (Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina), bringing the total to 15 states including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Missouri reports 1,095 cases; most illnesses have been traced to lettuce from central Mexico, prompting Taylor Farms to recall iceberg lettuce from that source distributed to 27 states. The FDA hasn’t identified other sources yet. With an incubation of up to about two weeks, the timing of diagnoses can lag recall efforts; Michigan has reported the first related deaths. Overall, the outbreak has seen more than 22,000 cases and 517 hospitalizations. Authorities caution that the newly linked states may reflect recall timing rather than ongoing spread, while investigations continue.