A massive, multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis has expanded to nine states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The outbreak, which has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico, has now been connected to cases in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, as well as hard-hit Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Investigation Ongoing

The CDC has confirmed 1,947 cases in those nine states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled the product from the U.S. market, and investigators are working to determine whether additional growers might have played a role in the outbreak.

The FDA’s Kari Irvin said the agency has seen different “signals” of outbreak sources. “We have multiple investigations of cyclospora open,” she said. The CDC has sent three staffers to Ohio to help with that state’s investigation.

Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne infection caused by a parasite that likes to cling to fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, and herbs, making them difficult to wash away. The parasite, called cyclospora, spreads through water contaminated with human feces.

Nationwide Impact

There are nearly 12,000 confirmed or suspected cases of the illness nationwide, according to tallies from the CDC and state health departments. Michigan has had the brunt of cases, with nearly 8,000 infections. Other states, including New York and North Carolina, have also reported cases, with preliminary investigations suggesting that parsley and cilantro could be behind those cases.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.