Largest US outbreak of explosive diarrhoea parasite is over, officials say
The CDC has declared the end of a major U.S. outbreak of the cyclospora parasite, which caused over 12,000 illnesses and two deaths. The outbreak was linked to contaminated lettuce imported from Mexico by Taylor Farms.
Why it matters
This event highlights the risks associated with food supply chain safety and the importance of rapid public health responses to large-scale outbreaks.
Image source, The Boston Globe via Getty Images By Kathryn Armstrong Published 29 minutes ago The largest outbreak of an intestinal infection that spread across several US states and affected more than 12,000 people has ended, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Friday.
Two people have died and 570 were hospitalised in recent months in relation to the outbreak of cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can cause explosive diarrhoea.
In an advisory notice saying the outbreak was over, the CDC said cases had "significantly declined", and it was continuing to investigate the cause of the infection.
Officials have linked the outbreak, which affected 21 states, to lettuce imported from Mexico by Taylor Farms, a key supplier for many US food outlets.
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