Home · Health · Sep 9 archive
Cyclospora outbreak followed years of declining FDA foreign inspections
Confirmed
In Short: Two deaths have been confirmed in a cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce in Michigan, prompting health officials to warn of the parasite's impact.
Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite causing watery diarrhea, has led to an outbreak in Michigan, resulting in two deaths and affecting 70 counties, according to state health officials. The outbreak, first identified in Monroe County in late June, has since spread widely, with the Wayne County Public Health agency reaching out to residents for more information.
Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states as a source of the outbreak, though other brands, restaurants, or distribution channels could also be involved, the CDC stated.
Lettuce sales and restaurant visits have declined since the outbreak began, with the CDC reporting illnesses starting on June 19. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the source of the contamination, with the investigation continuing as the outbreak persists.
The outbreak, which has seen an additional 33 Michigan residents requiring hospital care, is part of a trend of cyclospora outbreaks occurring in late spring and summer, according to CBS News. Health officials are urging caution and are conducting surveys to gather more information about the spread of the illness.
What's confirmed
- Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite causing watery diarrhea, has led to an outbreak in Michigan, resulting in two deaths and affecting 70 counties, according to state health officials. The outbreak, first identified in Monroe County in late June, has since spread widely, with the Wayne County Public Health agency reaching out to residents for more information.
- Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states as a source of the outbreak, though other brands, restaurants, or distribution channels could also be involved, the CDC stated.
- Lettuce sales and restaurant visits have declined since the outbreak began, with the CDC reporting illnesses starting on June 19. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the source of the contamination, with the investigation continuing as the outbreak persists.
- The outbreak, which has seen an additional 33 Michigan residents requiring hospital care, is part of a trend of cyclospora outbreaks occurring in late spring and summer, according to CBS News. Health officials are urging caution and are conducting surveys to gather more information about the spread of the illness.
What's still developing
- Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source and, for years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported.
- (CDC via AP, File) This undated photo taken through a microscope provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin.
- On July 24, the Centers for Disease Control said a lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to the outbreak.
- Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes the diarrheal illness cyclosporiasis.
- An update on the Cyclospora outbreak available here.