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[HEALTH] · United States, Mexico · 45 sources

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US Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce

The United States is experiencing its largest recorded Cyclospora (cyclosporiasis) outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 1,947 laboratory‑confirmed cases across nine states – Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania – with at least 98 hospitalisations and no deaths reported. Federal health officials also acknowledge more than 7,400 suspected cases, many of them in Michigan where the outbreak has surpassed 8,000 confirmed infections.

Epidemiologic tracing links the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from central Mexico. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all such lettuce on July 17 and halted sourcing from the region. Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said large growers and retailers have stopped sourcing cilantro, parsley and other herbs from central Mexico because of contamination concerns. The FDA has increased border inspections, testing 100 % of fresh herb shipments from Mexico, which can delay trucks up to 48 hours.

The outbreak has prompted a sharp consumer reaction: foot traffic at Taco Bell fell roughly 31 % and lettuce sales at several grocery chains dropped about 11 %. Taylor Farms reportedly contacted the White House seeking a delay to the public recall announcement, a move the former commissioner called “not standard operating procedure.” The CDC continues to investigate additional produce sources while urging the public to avoid the recalled lettuce.

Entities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Cyclospora cayetanensis · Cyclospora cayetanensis · Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian · Food and Drug Administration (FDA) · Michigan Department of Health and Human Services · Scott Gottlieb · Taco Bell · Taylor Farms · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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