The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday, Sept. 11, that the multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to processed iceberg lettuce has ended.
“This outbreak has ended,” the CDC declared. “The number of recent infections linked to the outbreak has significantly declined. The contaminated lettuce linked to this outbreak is no longer available in stores or restaurants.”
The outbreak caused 12,883 confirmed illnesses across 21 states, the CDC said. It resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Federal and state health officials began investigating the outbreak in July. Investigators linked the illnesses to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, sourced from central Mexico.
The company recalled all iceberg lettuce from that region on Friday, July 17.
The CDC said the best-by dates for all products connected to the outbreak have passed. The agency said there is no longer a risk of people contracting cyclosporiasis from this source.
At the outbreak’s peak before the recall, more than 1,000 infections occurred in a single day. That figure fell to an average of fewer than two infections per day in August.
The US Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate how the lettuce became contaminated. The CDC said the FDA may release additional findings as that investigation continues.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis.
Symptoms typically begin about one week after a person consumes contaminated food or water. However, illness can develop as soon as two days after exposure or take two weeks or longer to appear.
Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
The CDC recommends thoroughly washing hands and fresh produce under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Washing cannot guarantee it will remove Cyclospora.
Cooking produce to at least 158 degrees can kill the parasite, the agency says.
Although the immediate threat from the recalled lettuce has ended, federal health officials urged consumers to continue following food-safety precautions.
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