US Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Mexican Iceberg Lettuce FAST-MOVING
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed more than 10,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across 15 states, with an additional 12,255 suspected cases under investigation. The outbreak has caused over 500 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan, both among patients with serious underlying health conditions. Federal investigators have traced the source to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from central Mexico, which was served at Taco Bell restaurants and other food venues. In response, major food distributor Sysco announced it has stopped purchasing iceberg lettuce from Mexican suppliers. The FDA and state health departments continue to expand the response team and investigate other possible contamination sources.
Entities: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Michigan · Michigan Department of Health · Sysco · Sysco Corp · Taco Bell · Taylor Farms
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The contaminated lettuce was served at Taco Bell restaurants. (CDC/FDA)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The outbreak has caused over 500 hospitalizations. (CDC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after the outbreak was identified. (Taylor Farms notice)
- [● 2 SOURCES] There are more than 12,255 suspected cyclospora cases pending confirmation. (CDC data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from central Mexico. (CDC/FDA)
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 10,000 laboratory‑confirmed cyclospora cases have been reported in the United States. (CDC data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Food distributor Sysco stopped buying iceberg lettuce from Mexican suppliers because of the outbreak. (Sysco)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The CDC expanded the cyclospora outbreak to 15 U.S. states. (CDC)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Two deaths occurred, both in Michigan, among individuals with pre‑existing health conditions. (Michigan Health Department/CDC)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The outbreak has resulted in 517 hospitalizations. (CDC)
- [● 7 SOURCES] CDC reports over 12,255 additional unconfirmed cyclosporiasis cases under investigation. (CDC)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cyclospora is transmitted through food or water contaminated with fecal matter. (CDC)