Cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US, by the numbers
The US is experiencing a significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce. While officials claim the outbreak is under control, case counts continue to rise, prompting ongoing investigations by the CDC and FDA.
Why it matters
Large-scale foodborne illness outbreaks pose significant public health risks and highlight vulnerabilities in the fresh produce supply chain.
Some US states are facing a large and growing outbreak of diarrhea caused by cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh food or water. Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms has been recalled, and it’s likely that contaminated products have already been eaten or removed from shelves. “We do have the outbreak under control,” US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday, noting the recall. But illness can take a while to appear, and the epidemiological curve of new cases hasn’t yet slowed. Health officials are racing to trace the details of cases in an ongoing investigation, but the parasite is notoriously difficult to find. Testing produce can be challenging, and people who are sick may be asked to remember what they ate weeks earlier to help identify a common thread.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in