Home / Health / Lettuce Recall Grows: 20 States Hit by Parasite Outbreak
Lettuce Recall Grows: 20 States Hit by Parasite Outbreak
28 Aug
Summary
- Parasitic illness cases confirmed in 20 states linked to recalled lettuce.
- Outbreak linked to lettuce from a farm in central Mexico operated by Taylor Farms.
- Two deaths are connected to the outbreak, both occurring in Michigan.
Parasitic illness cases, specifically cyclosporiasis, linked to recalled iceberg lettuce have now been confirmed in 20 states. Federal health officials reported an increase in the number of people sickened by the parasite cyclospora, bringing the total to 11,458. Tragically, two deaths have been directly linked to this outbreak, both occurring in Michigan.
Investigations by the FDA and CDC have focused on lettuce grown at a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico. This outbreak has become the largest of its kind in the U.S., significantly exceeding previous years' numbers. The parasite, cyclospora, commonly causes severe watery diarrhea.
Officials are continuing to inspect produce at the implicated farm. The FDA stated it is confident that all recalled lettuce related to this specific outbreak has been removed from the market. Cyclosporiasis infections tend to occur most frequently in the late spring and summer months.
