Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Reaches 20 States

A cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to 20 states, sickening more than 11,000 people and marking the largest outbreak of its kind ever recorded in the United States. Federal health officials reported the updated figures on August 27, noting the addition of Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas to the list of affected states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now tied 11,458 laboratory-confirmed illnesses to the outbreak, an increase of 528 cases since its previous update on August 20. The outbreak has resulted in at least 495 hospitalizations and two deaths, both in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stated that both individuals who died had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the infection and associated dehydration. Both fell ill before the product recall was issued.

Illnesses began on June 14, with the most recent reported onset date being August 15. Federal investigators have traced the source to iceberg lettuce processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico at a facility in central Mexico. The company voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from that region on July...