US declares end of largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak
News Source
β’Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:35:36 +0000
π° What Happened
US health officials have declared the country's largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak over. The illness spread through iceberg lettuce and sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states. The CDC recorded 12,883 cases, with 570 people in hospital and two deaths. Officials said they are now confident that all the recalled lettuce is off the market.
Most people got sick about a week after eating the lettuce. Common signs include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and tiredness. The outbreak was traced to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.
π The Backstory
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a tiny parasite called Cyclospora. People get it from food or water that carries the parasite. It is often linked to fresh produce from certain regions.
The supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, recalled its iceberg lettuce from the region on July 17. The cases then spread across 20 states. Before this year, US health teams usually saw far fewer cases in the same period.
π― Why It Matters
It shows how one food supplier can sicken thousands of people. It also affects trust in fresh produce and shows how much speed matters in food recalls.
US health officials have declared the country's largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak over. The illness spread through iceberg lettuce and sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states. The CDC recorded 12,883 cases, with 570 people in hospital and two deaths. Officials said they are now confident that all the recalled lettuce is off the market.
Most people got sick about a week after eating the lettuce. Common signs include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and tiredness. The outbreak was traced to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a tiny parasite called Cyclospora. People get it from food or water that carries the parasite. It is often linked to fresh produce from certain regions.
The supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, recalled its iceberg lettuce from the region on July 17. The cases then spread across 20 states. Before this year, US health teams usually saw far fewer cases in the same period.
It shows how one food supplier can sicken thousands of people. It also affects trust in fresh produce and shows how much speed matters in food recalls.