Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Continues
Former FDA Chief Says Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Is Not Fully Under Control
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The largest-ever cyclosporiasis outbreak is not "fully under control," former FDA chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb warned this week. The Food and Drug Administration has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, supplied by Taylor Farms, though no confirmed positive test results for cyclospora have been found in the product yet, according to WGME.
The outbreak has spread across nine states: Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Experts say the true number of cases is likely 10 to 20 times higher than official counts, because many people have mild symptoms or never get tested, Fox San Antonio reported.
Gottlieb Warns Case Count Will Keep Rising
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who led the FDA from 2017 to 2019, said the outbreak is still growing. He warned that case numbers are expected to continue climbing as health officials investigate the source. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite called cyclospora. It spreads through contaminated food or water and can cause watery diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue, according to KOMO News.
Because cyclospora infections can be mild or cause no symptoms at all, many cases go unreported. Officials believe the real count could be 10 to 20 times higher than what has been confirmed. This makes tracking and containing the outbreak especially difficult, News3LV reported.
Taylor Farms Lettuce Linked to the Outbreak
The FDA has pointed to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, grown in central Mexico, as the likely source. Taylor Farms has issued a recall of the product. However, the FDA has not yet confirmed a positive cyclospora test on any of the recalled lettuce, according to WGXA.
The FDA is advising the public to avoid any recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products. Anyone who has already bought the product should throw it away. Retailers have been asked to pull it from shelves, Bakersfield Now reported.
Nine States Affected in Record-Breaking Outbreak
Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia have all reported cases. This makes it the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak ever recorded in the United States, according to Local 12. Federal health officials are still working to confirm the full scope of the spread.
Cyclosporiasis outbreaks tied to fresh produce have happened before, but never at this scale. Past outbreaks have been linked to herbs and berries from Latin America. The current outbreak's link to iceberg lettuce marks a new concern for food safety officials, NewsChannel 9 reported.
What to Do If You Bought Recalled Lettuce
The FDA is urging anyone who bought Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce to stop eating it immediately and throw it away. If you have symptoms like watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, or prolonged fatigue, see a doctor. Cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics when caught early, according to KMPH.
Health officials are continuing to monitor the outbreak closely. As more test results come in, the case count is expected to grow. The FDA says it will update guidance as new information becomes available, WGME reported.
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