Cyclosporiasis outbreak: US officially ends largest outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce

Health officials reportedly announced the end of their largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak after contaminated iceberg lettuce affected thousands of people though the FDA is still investigating the transmission pathways of the parasite into the food supply.

The outbreak which federal investigators linked to lettuce from Mexico sourced by Taylor Farms triggered one of the largest food recalls in recent years.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12,883 people across 21 states fell ill due to food-borne lettuce.

The outbreak resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths representing the majority of the 19,595 laboratory confirmed US cyclosporiasis cases reported since May 1.

The Food and Drug Administration reassured the public that all recalled iceberg lettuce was linked to the outbreak. The CDC has confirmed that all products linked to the outbreak as well as the lettuce are not longer available in stores or restaurants.

According to federal and state health officials, Michigan has reported over 14,000 cases and two deaths linked to the parasite. Similarly, Ohio and Missouri also experienced thousands of cases linked to tainted lettuce from Taylor Farms.

The high case from Michigan was attributed to a large accumulation of reports in August, underscoring the strain on a system affected by federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.