As CT Parasite Cases Continue Rising; Illnesses In 5 States Linked To Lettuce Used At Well-Known Restaurant

Connecticut cases of the diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasis was up to 52 as of July 17, according to the state Department of Public Health.

While the cause of Connecticut’s outbreak is still under investigation, federal investigators have announced a link to shredded lettuce in five other states.

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The Connecticut total has more than doubled since early this month. Friday’s tally is up from the 23 confirmed cases as of July 1. Connecticut had its first case reported May 2.

Of the 52 confirmed cases this year, Connecticut health officials so far have determined 24 originated in the U.S., and six were linked to international travel.

The intestinal illness is caused by a parasite which gets into the body through contaminated food or water. Frequent, watery diarrhea is a common symptom, along with fatigue and loss of appetite.

There have been four hospitalizations in Connecticut linked to the parasite, state officials said Friday.

The illness has been reported in 34 states as of July 13, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

Brittany Schaefer, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said Friday it does not have confirmation the Connecticut cyclospora cases are linked to any particular food establishments or specific produce.

“We continue to collect additional information and interview residents with positive cases to identify any potential sources,” Schaefer said. “Our recommendations have not changed; we continue to encourage safe food practices including washing produce before consumption.”

Shredded Lettuce Link In 5 States

On Thursday, the CDC announced a cyclospora outbreak in five other states has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell.

Consumers have been cautioned not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The agency reported an investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell in those five states.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working directly with that supplier to determine if contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce went to other states, the CDC said.

“CDC is also investigating other outbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak,” the announcement said.

On Thursday, Taco Bell announced it was voluntarily removing potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.

“The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states,” the announcement said. “While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests. Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.”

Consumers can continue to take precautions to avoid the illness, including washing hands, and washing fresh produce thoroughly. Cooking produce can also kill the parasite.

Find advice from the CDC on preventing infection HERE.

Read more:

CT Diarrhea Parasite Cases Jump; Health Officials Issue Guidance

Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak In CT: 7 Things To Know And What To Do

Parasite Outbreak Sickens People In 17 States, Including CT