- Over 1,400 infections have been reported in the United States due to a Cyclospora outbreak, according to the CDC.
- On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from Mexico after US investigators identified Mexican facilities as a likely source of the outbreak.
- The FDA initially reported a sample of Mexican lettuce tested positive for Cyclospora on July 15, but later announced it was a false positive after a re-review.
- As of July 18, the CDC reported 308 hospitalizations related to the outbreak across 41 states.
- Many cases of the Cyclospora outbreak have been linked to lettuce produce.
- The CDC has indicated that the total number of infections is likely to rise as 7,400 suspected cases are under review.
The United States is facing a significant outbreak of Cyclospora, with over 1,400 confirmed cases reported by health officials. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that 308 individuals have been hospitalized across 41 states, although no fatalities have been recorded thus far.
The CDC has also indicated that 7,400 additional cases are under review, suggesting that the total number of infections may continue to rise. Many of the confirmed cases have been linked to contaminated lettuce, prompting a recall by US firm Taylor Farms for iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico.3
On July 17, the company issued the recall after investigations pointed to Mexican facilities as a potential source of the outbreak. However, Mexican Secretary of Health David Kershenobich has disputed these findings, asserting that there is no evidence to support that the outbreak originated in Guanajuato, where local authorities are conducting their own investigations.
The situation has been complicated by conflicting information from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which initially reported a positive test for the parasite in a sample of Mexican lettuce, only to later retract the statement, labeling it a false positive after further review.4
As health officials continue to track the outbreak, the focus remains on identifying the precise source of the infections to prevent further spread and ensure public safety.
“The CDC reported 308 hospitalizations across 41 states with no deaths, and 7,400 suspected cases are under review. Mexican Secretary of Health David Kershenobich disputed the findings, and the FDA issued conflicting information after a positive sample was later ruled a false positive.”
