The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing to declare the end of the cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce that has affected over 11,000 individuals across 20 states, as officials anticipate an announcement as early as Thursday, reports BritPanorama.
As of late August, at least 11,458 people have been reported ill, with 495 hospitalizations and two fatalities, according to both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This outbreak has been classified as the largest on record in the United States, with Michigan emerging as the hardest-hit state, where approximately one in every 1,000 residents contracted the illness.
In response to the outbreak, the implicated iceberg lettuce has been recalled. The FDA indicated last month that it is “confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce related to this specific Cyclospora outbreak is off the market” and that the product should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.
Investigators traced the source of the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce linked to Taco Bell locations, originating from Taylor Farms and growers in Mexico. Following the onset of illnesses, Taylor Farms de Mexico removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market and initiated a recall on July 17. It is notable that the majority of the illnesses began before the recall was announced.
The Taylor Farms facility in Doctor Mora, Mexico, has remained closed since July 10, with maintenance personnel the only staff present. Workers have been informed they may return soon, but no confirmation has been issued yet about when production will resume. In the meantime, no food packaging has been processed since the plant was put on hold, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe gastrointestinal distress and can take 2 days to 2 weeks to manifest after exposure. Matthew Moore, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, noted the delay between contamination, consumption, and reporting of illnesses, stating that a significant time lag is often observed. Federal health officials, including Dr. Colleen Kraft from Emory University, are expected to confirm the outbreak’s conclusion once they are assured that no new illnesses are occurring.
As the investigation continues, public health experts remain vigilant about the residual risks associated with the outbreak and the mechanisms involved in its transmission.
