US says more than 1,400 infected by parasitic Cyclospora illness outbreak - Al Jazeera

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters and The Associated Press, reported that a US outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness, has sickened more than 4,100 people across the country. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that 308 confirmed patients had been hospitalized in 41 states, with no deaths reported. The agency also said about 7,400 suspected infections remained under review, meaning the count could increase.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite and is typically associated with contaminated food or water. Symptoms often begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged, frequent diarrhoea. According to the report, many illnesses have been connected to lettuce products, prompting scrutiny of produce supply chains.

Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce on July 17 after US investigators identified lettuce grown in Mexico and exported to US stores and restaurants as a likely source. The US Food and Drug Administration’s public statements have shifted: it first said a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce from Mexico tested positive, then said the result was a false positive after further review, and later said its supply-chain inquiry still pointed toward the company’s Mexican facilities.

Mexico’s Health Ministry has challenged the US findings. Health Secretary David Kershenobich said Tuesday that officials had not found evidence that the outbreak originated in Guanajuato, a central Mexican state under investigation. The dispute matters because produce-linked outbreaks can affect consumer safety, cross-border trade and recall decisions while investigators work to confirm the contamination source.