Federal health officials say a large multistate outbreak of cyclospora infections associated with iceberg lettuce has officially ended after sickening more than 11,000 people across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the outbreak, which began in July, is now considered over. Cases were reported in 20 states, and two deaths have been associated with the outbreak.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. Symptoms can include frequent or prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
The outbreak became the largest recorded cyclospora outbreak in the United States.
A number of illnesses were associated with people who had eaten at Taco Bell restaurants. During the outbreak, the restaurant chain temporarily removed lettuce from the menu at some locations as health officials investigated the source.
Federal investigators eventually traced the implicated iceberg lettuce to Taylor Farms and a production facility in Mexico. In July, the company removed iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and issued a recall.
Although the CDC now considers the outbreak over, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing its investigation into the contaminated lettuce and the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
Consumers who may still have lettuce covered by the earlier recall should follow FDA guidance and should not eat recalled products.
The Morehead Minute will continue to monitor food-safety alerts and recalls that could affect consumers in Kentucky and the surrounding region.