Recalled Lettuce Is off Shelves. Why Are Cyclospora Cases Still Rising?
Newsweek · C · trust 61/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The iceberg lettuce linked to a massive nationwide Cyclospora outbreak has long since been pulled from stores and restaurants, but infections across the United States continue to climb.
Federal health officials say the recalled products, tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico, are no longer available for sale and their best-by dates have passed.
Yet the investigation remains active as new cases of Cyclospora continue to emerge.
Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis, is most commonly spread through contaminated food or water.
Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11,458 illnesses across 20 states have been linked to the lettuce outbreak as of August 27, including 495 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Three additional states, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, were added in the latest update .
The surge has left many consumers wondering why infections are still being reported if the suspected source is no longer on shelves.
Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, told Newsweek that the continued increase in reported cases does not necessarily mean contaminated lettuce remains in circulation.
“Any new cases are most likely related to people who consumed the contaminated lettuce before it was removed,” Saggar said.
For example, some of the newly reported illnesses may be linked to lettuce that was purchased before the recall and consumed weeks afterward.
“Because symptoms can take several weeks to develop, there can be a significant delay between exposure and when someone becomes sick,” Saggar added.
Officials also believe the true number of illnesses is likely higher because some people recover without seeking medical care or being tested.
Complicating matters further, the lettuce outbreak is not the only source under investigation.
While federal investigators have identified Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce as the primary source of the largest outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is also investigating at least three other Cyclospora outbreaks.
Saggar noted that the FDA continues to conduct inspections and sample collection at lettuce growing and processing facilities in Mexico but has said it is confident the recalled products have been removed from the supply chain.
“While new cases are still being reported, that does not necessarily mean the contaminated lettuce is still circulating in the food supply,” he explained. “It is more likely that these cases reflect earlier exposures.”
For most consumers, the current risk is not higher than normal , according to Saggar.
“As long as you are not consuming lettuce that was purchased several weeks ago and may have come from Taylor Farms, there really should not be any greater risk than normal,” he said.
He advised consumers to discard any iceberg or shredded lettuce purchased in July or early August that could potentially be connected to the recall.
Newsweek reached out to the FDA for comment via its website request for comment form.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gray R. Thomas
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