A large multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has been linked to lettuce sold at restaurants such as Taco Bell and some grocery stores now accounts for cases across 15 states, according to federal health officials.

Outbreak Details

Six states – Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina – were added to the outbreak after lab testing by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that illnesses there were probably caused by the same strain of the tiny cyclospora parasite, which burrows into the lining of the small intestine and can cause weeks of explosive diarrhea if left untreated.

Among the more than 6,000 cases the CDC has tallied in the outbreak, nearly 300 have been hospitalized, and two people have died. The update is confirmation of how widespread the outbreak already was, experts said, rather than a sign that its footprint is expanding.

The CDC has implemented a level 3 emergency response to the outbreak, according to a source briefed on the agency’s actions. Level 3, the lowest level of emergency response, means the agency is actively monitoring and working on a situation, although the risk to the general public is low.

Investigation and Response

Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico, including in salad kits sold in grocery stores, on July 17. In a statement on its website, the company said it conducted a broad recall of its products “out of an abundance of caution.”

Taco Bell says it has also removed affected shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants in certain states. Experts believe that because lettuce is perishable, the stuff that was making people sick was eaten or thrown away long ago.

Lettuce is believed to be a prime suspect in the multistate outbreak but may not be the cause of illnesses in other states. Because some people who got sick didn’t report eating lettuce and state health officials have said they cannot rule out other contaminated sources as contributors.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.