It’s now safe to eat salads again, or so says the anonymous source who whispered to The Washington Post. The Cyclospora outbreak that was traced back to Taylor Farms lettuce from Central Mexico could be declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week, though other outlets have run with the official ending of this literal s**thow.
Around 20,000 people from across 21 states were affected by this heinous parasitic infection, whose hallmark symptom was explosive diarrhea. It led to numerous memes and reactions on social media. The good news was that it was very treatable, with a round of drugs that would flush out the parasite. The problem was that the incubation period could be up to two weeks, and those suspected of contracting the parasite had to seek professional medical help for a test to determine whether they were infected. For some, that might not have been possible given the gastrointestinal issues. Some who were infected were hospitalized. Those who got the worst of it felt the effects of the parasitic infection for at least a month (via WaPo):
Federal officials are poised to declare the end of the nation’s largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak after thousands of people became sick after eating shredded iceberg lettuce, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The update may come as soon as later Thursday, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. However, the timing is not guaranteed. In mid-July, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled products from the market as federal officials began linking its lettuce from central Mexico to a cyclosporiasis outbreak. Food and Drug Administration enforcement records show recalled products were packaged for nine food service and retail operations, such as Subway and Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut.
Michigan, which has been hit hardest by cyclosporiasis, is among 20 states that federal health officials have linked to that specific outbreak involving shredded lettuce from central Mexico. More than 11,000 people have fallen ill, including nearly 500 who were hospitalized, because of the lettuce outbreak, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
All investigative traces traced back to Taylor Farms and its Mexican lettuce farms. But congratulations, everyone, we’ve survived the diarrhea lettuce epidemic.
