CDC Links 15 States to Iceberg Lettuce Outbreak as Cyclospora Cases Top 25,000
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 5
CDC Links 15 States to Iceberg Lettuce Outbreak as Cyclospora Cases Top 25,000
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 5
Summary
Six more states—Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina—were added Wednesday, bringing the iceberg-lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak to 15 states.
More than 25,000 cases have now been reported nationwide across at least 47 states, far above the previous U.S. high of about 4,700 in 2019; Michigan alone has logged over 12,000 cases and two deaths.
Taylor Farms has been identified by federal officials as the focus of the lettuce investigation, and the company recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico after investigators first narrowed in on lettuce served at Taco Bell.
The FDA is tracking five active cyclospora outbreaks, but this 15-state cluster is by far the largest; officials say long incubation times, difficult lab analysis and public-health staffing cuts have slowed the investigation.