Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce expands to 15 states

The U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, with more than 6,000 confirmed cases, nearly 300 hospitalizations, and two deaths, according to the CDC Source: CNN. The six newly added states are Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina Source: AP News. Michigan remains the epicenter, reporting over 12,400 cases and two deaths Source: LA Times. The CDC has activated a level 3 emergency response, the lowest level, to coordinate the investigation Source: CNN.

Source and recall

The FDA's traceback investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the source, and the company recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico on July 17 Source: AP News. The lettuce was distributed to Taco Bell and other restaurants and retailers Source: Ars Technica. Taylor Farms has not disclosed the total pounds recalled or all distribution points, which has complicated the investigation Source: Ars Technica.

Disagreements and uncertainties

While the CDC links the 15-state cluster to Taylor Farms lettuce, not all cases in the 47 states reporting cyclosporiasis are necessarily part of this outbreak Source: Ars Technica. Some patients did not report eating lettuce, and officials cannot rule out other sources Source: CNN. Mexico's health ministry says there is no evidence that Mexico is the origin of the outbreak, despite the lettuce being grown there Source: Mexico News Daily. The true number of U.S. cases may be as high as 1 million, as many people do not seek medical care Source: CNN.

What's next

Investigations are ongoing, with FDA tracking five separate cyclospora outbreaks Source: AP News. Mexico has deployed inspection teams to 16 hotels in Quintana Roo after UK travelers reported cases Source: Mexico News Daily. California reports higher-than-expected cases but is not part of the outbreak Source: LA Times.