By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Kentucky and four other states.
The illnesses included in this outbreak, which have been reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia are a subset of the Cyclospora infections identified nationwide.
Based on epidemiological information collected by the CDC, 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell have been confirmed in the five states, starting on dates ranging from May 13 and July 13. There have been 94 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.
Michigan health officials analyzed food exposure details from 190 of the cases which reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with the CDC. Ingredient level analyses of meals eaten in these cases indicate that 90 percent of those interviewed reported eating iceberg lettuce.
The FDA’s traceback investigation has identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used at Taco Bell locations where people ate before becoming ill.
FDA officials are working directly with the identified supplier to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market. As part of this investigation, FDA and state partners have initiated collection of product samples for testing and analysis. Additionally, FDA has increased screening at the border for products implicated in the outbreak.
The FDA said it is also working with Taco Bell, and the restaurant chain has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation.
According to the CDC, primary symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually begin about one week after becoming infected but can range from two days to two weeks or more.
If you have symptoms, the CDC says to stay well-hydrated and contact your healthcare provider.
The FDA and the affected states are actively investigating the source and scope of the contamination. Because the investigation remains ongoing, additional implicated brands, restaurants, retailers or distribution channels may be identified.