CDC Declares Largest US Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Over After 12,000 Cases

Reporting based primarily on bbc.com.

Outbreak Declared Over

The largest outbreak of an intestinal infection that spread across several US states and affected more than 12,000 people has ended, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. [1] In an advisory notice saying the outbreak was over, the CDC said cases had significantly declined, and it was continuing to investigate the cause of the infection. [1] The Straits Times also reported that the US has declared an end to the largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak. [5]

Scale of the Infections

According to CDC data, there have been nearly 20,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since 1 May, as well as more than 1,000 hospitalisations. [1] Forty-nine states, as well as DC, have reported cases. [1] The agency notes that the true number of people who have been sick with the parasite is likely to be much higher. [1] While the majority of these were linked to the contaminated lettuce, thousands were not. [1]

Link to Imported Lettuce

Officials have linked the outbreak, which affected 21 states, to lettuce imported from Mexico by Taylor Farms, a key supplier for many US food outlets. [1] Taylor Farms announced a voluntary recall of lettuce sourced from central Mexico, while the US fast-food chain Taco Bell said it has removed lettuce from the supplier from its menu. [1]

Symptoms, Severity and Deaths

Cyclospora causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. [1] It is spread through contaminated food or water and can cause symptoms including severe diarrhoea. [1] The CDC says deaths from cyclosporiasis are uncommon, as it is not usually life-threatening. [1] Health officials in Michigan said that the two deaths, which both happened in the state, were of people who had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. [1]

Ongoing Investigation and Context

The CDC continues to investigate the cause of the infection while noting that the majority of cases were linked to the contaminated lettuce but thousands were not. [1] UK health officials too have warned about the outbreak following recent cases contracted by returning travellers. [1] Before the latest outbreak the worst year for infections was 2019, when there were about 4,700 across the country. [1]

What to watch next: The CDC has said it is continuing to investigate the cause of the infection after cases significantly declined.