Health Officials Give Important Update On Parasite Outbreak In CT

The massive Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce is over, federal health officials announced Friday.

The outbreak sickened 12,883 people across 21 states, resulting in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The last reported illness onset was Aug. 17.

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Recalled iceberg lettuce connected to the outbreak was distributed to food-service customers in Connecticut, according to the FDA.

The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been investigating the multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Federal officials said Friday that the CDC has declared the outbreak over, though the FDA's investigation remains ongoing.

The outbreak included people who reported exposure to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served or purchased at various locations, including people who previously reported eating at Taco Bell. Most of the illnesses began before the company's July 17 recall.

Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market on July 17. The recall included certain Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce products sold at Walmart, as well as products distributed to food-service customers.

Distribution of the recalled food-service products was confirmed in 31 states, including Connecticut, between June 29 and July 16. The affected Marketside retail products were sold at select Walmart stores in 15 states, but Connecticut was not among the states listed for retail distribution.

The FDA said the recalled products' best-by dates have passed and they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.

The outbreak was part of a much larger number of Cyclospora infections reported across the country this year.

Between May 1 and Sept. 8, the CDC received reports of 19,595 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cases across 49 states and the District of Columbia. Those figures include cases associated with the iceberg lettuce outbreak as well as illnesses unrelated to it.

Connecticut reported between 50 and 199 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cases during that period, according to the CDC's latest state-by-state map. The map reports state totals in ranges rather than providing an exact Connecticut figure.

Nationwide, 1,043 people with cyclosporiasis were hospitalized and two deaths were reported between May 1 and Sept. 8. The median age of patients was 46.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. The most common symptom is diarrhea with frequent bowel movements, according to the FDA.

Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache and fever can also occur. Some people infected with Cyclospora do not experience symptoms.

If untreated, the illness can lead to dehydration and severe complications requiring higher levels of care, particularly for people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can last from several days to a month or longer and may disappear before returning.

While the outbreak has ended, the FDA's investigation remains ongoing.

FDA inspections and sample collection at iceberg lettuce growers and a processing facility in Mexico have ended, but samples collected during the inspections are still awaiting analysis. The agency said it will continue working with federal, state and international partners on the investigation.

Federal officials said they are confident all recalled iceberg lettuce connected to the outbreak is now off the market.