The largest reported outbreak of cyclosporiasis in US history, linked to iceberg lettuce, has now spread to nine states, according to health officials. Cases associated with lettuce from central Mexico have been reported in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The parasite Cyclospora causes an intestinal illness that can lead to severe diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking multiple outbreaks, potentially from different sources.
Since mid-May, the CDC has recorded over 11,000 cases nationwide. Michigan has been the most affected state, with over 8,100 reported infections. Some individuals who contracted the parasite described the experience as extremely painful.
Federal investigators are actively searching for the sources of the outbreak. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is involved in the investigation. Taylor Farms, a major U.S. food supplier, voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17 as a precautionary measure. Earlier, the FDA had announced that iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms tested positive for cyclospora, but later retracted this statement, citing a false positive.
Health experts note that tracing the origins of Cyclospora can be challenging. Symptoms may not appear for weeks after ingestion, complicating efforts to identify a common food source. Wade Syers, a food safety expert at Michigan State University, stated that these investigations are typically lengthy, often taking a couple of months for the full picture to emerge. The CDC has advised the public not to consume recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms that was sourced from central Mexico.