The CDC has officially linked Pennsylvania to a nationwide outbreak of Cyclospora, which has now spread across nine states.
The CDC has confirmed that Pennsylvania is now officially linked to a nationwide outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite causing explosive diarrhea. This addition brings the total number of states with related cases to nine. Health departments across these regions report a combined total of more than 12,000 confirmed and suspected cases of cyclosporiasis, with Michigan reporting the highest concentration of the illness. Federal and state health leaders believe iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico is the primary source of the outbreak. In response, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled its shredded lettuce, which was shipped to 27 states. While the parasite is exclusively found in human feces, investigators have struggled to pinpoint exactly how the waste enters the agricultural system. The current outbreak is significant because most cases were acquired within the United States rather than through international travel. Experts note that while water is the most likely vehicle for transmission, the government currently lacks the authority to mandate testing for the parasite on farms.