An outbreak of the parasite Cyclospora, which can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, has expanded to 15 states, health officials reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified six additional states affected by the outbreak, according to individuals familiar with the matter cited by The Washington Post. Among the newly added states is Missouri, which has recorded 1,095 cyclosporiasis cases. The names of the other five states were not immediately available.
This expansion marks a significant increase in the scope of the outbreak, which has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms and sold at retailers including Taco Bell. As of the latest update, at least 1,947 people have been sickened nationwide, with 98 hospitalizations. The CDC is expected to provide further updates on these figures this week.
Earlier this week, the first deaths associated with the outbreak were reported in Michigan. Two individuals, both with underlying health conditions, died after contracting the parasite. Across the United States, over 18,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been recorded in 45 states so far this year, though not all are attributed to the recalled Taylor Farms lettuce.
Health officials note a reporting delay between local and federal data, which often results in CDC figures lagging behind those reported by state health departments.