Map Shows Cyclosporiasis Hotspots, Taylor Farms Pulls Lettuce: 'Do Not Eat'
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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. A Newsweek map shows the states facing the highest number of cyclosporiasis cases in the United States, as federal officials have warned consumers not to eat lettuce from a supplier linked to the outbreak .
Federal health officials confirmed on Friday that they have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across five states—Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia—as the source of an outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora.
“Do not eat food items with shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said in an update on Friday.
Taylor Farms said it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
It comes as cases of cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal illness caused by the parasite, have been reported in at least 34 states, with Michigan emerging as the hardest-hit. But not every illness may have been caused by the same source, and the CDC said it was investigating the other appearances across the country that is said is unrelated to the outbreak linked to the lettuce.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 5,002 cases as of Friday, including at least 102 people who have been hospitalized.
In Ohio, the state department of health reported 1,192 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 16, with 86 hospitalizatons, The Columbus Dispatch reported . The New York State Department of Health reported 517 cases as of July 13.
The CDC said in an update on Wednesday that it had received reports of 1,645 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis from 34 states as of July 13, with 141 hospitalizations and no deaths. All of the cases were in people who became sick after eating food in the U.S. and did not report any travel in the 14 days before they became sick, the CDC said.
The agency also said it was reviewing more than 5,100 additional cases to confirm the illnesses as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) said on Friday that its traceback investigation identified a single supplier (Taylor Farms de Mexico) of iceberg lettuce that was used by the Taco Bell locations where people who got sick ate before becoming ill.
Taylor Fresh Foods., the parent company of Taylor Farms, said in a statement on Friday that it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
“As a family owned and operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken,” the statement said. "Based on information provided yesterday by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.”
The statement added that although FDA testing indicated it was “a specific independent farm” that was identified as the potential source of the outbreak, the company has removed all iceberg lettuce from the region “indefinitely.”
On Thursday, ahead of the federal government’s confirmation, Taco Bell issued a statement saying that it would "voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.”
Taco Bell said on Friday that it has “completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from our restaurants. Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked swiftly to voluntarily remove the product from restaurants and the affected ingredient has been removed from our supply chain nationwide. We took this action to ensure our guests can enjoy their Taco Bell favorites safely."
The FDA said other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be linked to the outbreak as the investigation continues.
Michigan investigators are trying to figure out if the lettuce went to other restaurants or stores because many of the ill people said they didn’t eat at Taco Bell, state health officials said Friday.
There is no evidence the outbreak “is related to poor food handling or preparation at any single restaurant or fast-food chain,” Michigan health officials said in a statement.
For that reason, they continue to recommend that consumers purchase whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits. Taylor Fresh Foods said in its statement that no Taylor Farms-branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.
Chase Strangio told Newsweek of the debilitating symptoms he suffered after contracting the parasite in May. Strangio, a civil rights lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, said he didn’t eat at Taco Bell, but consumed lettuce and cilantro at a work lunch.
A week later , Strangio experienced sudden gastrointestinal symptoms, feeling nauseous and uncomfortable overnight. The following day, he developed a low-grade fever and "pretty serious diarrhea.”
Strangio said his worst symptom was not the heavily publicized "explosive" diarrhea, but rather severe, persistent stomach cramps that lingered long after other symptoms resolved.
“The symptoms are much more complicated than just explosive diarrhea,” Strangio said. He lost 7 pounds during the illness and required two separate intravenous lines to replenish his fluids . He also experienced profound fatigue and a severe loss of appetite.
Though he has since recovered, Strangio said he still feels anxiety.
“This really just shook my system, both physically and emotionally,” he said. “I haven’t been able to eat uncooked food without being anxious about it.”
The CDC has advised people experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis, including watery…
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