A widespread cyclospora outbreak has now affected 15 states, with federal health officials confirming over 10,000 cases. The outbreak, which began in May, has been linked to contaminated food or water containing feces. As officials struggle to determine the exact cause, the list of affected states continues to grow.
The outbreak has been particularly severe in Missouri, which has reported over 1,000 cases. Patients in the state have told investigators that they ate at Taco Bell before falling ill. Other states affected by the outbreak include Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, in addition to nine other states where cyclospora infections have been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 10,468 cases of cyclosporiasis as of Tuesday, with over 12,255 additional cases pending confirmation. The outbreak has resulted in more than 500 hospitalizations and two deaths, both of which occurred in Michigan. The victims had underlying health conditions, according to officials.
Taylor Farms, a mega produce supplier, recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17 due to potential contamination with cyclospora. Although a sample of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms initially tested positive for cyclosporiasis, the result was later deemed a false positive. The FDA has stated that this does not affect the ongoing outbreak investigation or the voluntary recall by Taylor Farms.
The outbreak has had a significant impact on Taco Bell, with sales slipping about 2 percent in the current fiscal quarter. According to Yum Brands CEO Chris Turner, the brand has seen a meaningful near-term sales impact due to the outbreak.
