The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its investigation into a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, adding Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania to the list of affected states. This brings the total number of states involved to nine, which also includes Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The CDC is working to trace the source of contaminated lettuce believed to be linked to the outbreak, which has affected 1,947 individuals and resulted in 98 hospitalizations, with no reported deaths.
Federal investigators have traced shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in the nine states to a supplier in Mexico. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, this was later determined to be a false positive. Taylor Farms is cooperating with the FDA in the ongoing investigation.
Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed 4,173 domestically acquired cases across 41 states and is reviewing over 7,400 additional reports to determine if they are related to the outbreak. Investigators are also examining illnesses in other states, such as North Carolina, where health officials have indicated that recent cases do not appear to be linked to the recalled lettuce, but rather to parsley and cilantro. The FDA is also investigating a separate outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people.