WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has sickened 10,930 people across 17 states, including Pennsylvania, leaving 454 hospitalized and two dead, federal health officials reported in an August 20 update.
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced the outbreak to processed iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served or sold through restaurants, food-service distributors and retailers.
The lettuce was recalled July 17, and its expiration dates have passed. The FDA indicated that the affected products should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.
Investigators have identified cases in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The number of affected states has not increased since the agencies’ August 13 update, although additional illnesses were identified through continuing interviews with patients. The most recent reported illness began August 11.
Some patients reported eating at Taco Bell before becoming ill. The restaurant chain indicated it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico on July 17.
The recall covered Marketside-brand products sold at select Walmart stores, including 12-ounce and 24-ounce Iceberg Salad packages and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Shredded Lettuce packages with best-by dates from July 18 through August 3.
Those Walmart products were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
Recalled lettuce distributed to food-service customers between June 29 and July 16 reached 31 states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
The FDA indicated that additional distribution may have extended to Delaware, Washington, D.C., California, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington state. Recalled products also were sold to consumers in Mexico.
FDA personnel have begun inspecting and collecting samples from iceberg lettuce growers in Mexico in coordination with Mexican authorities.
Cyclospora infections typically cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, appetite loss and weight loss. Some patients also experience vomiting, fever, headaches or body aches, while others have no symptoms.
Untreated infections can cause dehydration and other complications lasting weeks or longer, and symptoms may return after initially improving. People with weakened immune systems face an increased risk of prolonged or severe illness.
Federal health officials advised anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after eating shredded iceberg lettuce during the two weeks before becoming sick, to contact a health care provider.
Consumers who previously purchased or handled recalled lettuce should clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with it.
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