A cyclospora parasite outbreak affecting individuals in five states has been linked to shredded lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants. Federal health and food safety authorities have identified a single supplier in Mexico as the source of the contaminated produce.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating the outbreak, which involves cases in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Florida. While investigations continue, health officials suspect shredded lettuce may be responsible for the current outbreak. The CDC has not released information on the number of individuals affected as of this reporting.
The Washington Times reports that federal authorities have pinpointed a single lettuce supplier used by Taco Bell restaurants as the origin of the cyclosporiasis cases. NPR similarly states that federal health officials identified a single produce supplier from Mexico serving Taco Bell locations in the five impacted states. Time Magazine notes that while investigations are ongoing, shredded lettuce is suspected to be partly responsible for the outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. The infection is treated with antibiotics, but symptoms can recur if exposure continues. No information regarding preventative measures beyond avoiding potentially contaminated food has been released by the agencies involved.
No right-leaning outlets have reported on this outbreak as of this reporting.
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