US cyclosporiasis outbreak 1645 cases 34 states shredded iceberg lettuce Taco Bell far above last year
If you ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the US recently, take note. The CDC has logged 1,645 confirmed cyclospora cases across 34 states since May 1, with over 5,100 more under review. That is far above the 249 counted by this point last year. One cluster ties to Taco Bell in five
If you have eaten shredded iceberg lettuce in the United States over the past several weeks, this outbreak is worth understanding. Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed 1,645 domestic cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states, and is aware of more than 5,100 additional cases still being analysed. For comparison, only 249 cases had been reported nationally by the same point last year. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite spread through food or water contaminated with feces, and it is known for causing prolonged, watery diarrhea that can last weeks if untreated. Of the confirmed patients with available data, 141 (about 9 percent) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Investigators from the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and state health departments have linked one cluster to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states. Fresh produce has been the source of previous cyclospora outbreaks, and leafy greens are again under scrutiny. Why this matters now: unlike common bacterial food poisoning, cyclospora does not respond to standard treatment and requires a specific antibiotic, so recognising it matters for anyone with lingering gastrointestinal symptoms. The scale this year, roughly six times last year's count at the same date, is what public-health officials are watching most closely as the produce investigation continues. Per CDC and the Washington Post.