The record outbreak of cyclosporiasis was linked to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, which infected 12,883 people across 21 states and led to 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, The Guardian reported.
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“At this time, there is no risk of people getting sick with cyclosporiasis from this source. The best-by dates for all product linked to this outbreak have passed and it is no longer available in stores or restaurants,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday.
The federal agency added that it has seen a significant decrease in recent infections linked to this flare-up. Prior to the recall of the relevant packaged lettuces, there were more than 1,000 infections that occurred in a single day at the peak of the outbreak. In August, there were fewer than two infections per day on average.
Between 1 May and 8 September, the CDC reported a total of 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across the US, including 12,883 infections linked to contaminated lettuce.
Cases were reported across 49 states and Washington DC. The median age of those infected was 46, with women accounting for 56% of cases and men accounting for 44%.
The hardest-hit states include Michigan, which reported more than 14,000 cases and two deaths, followed by Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Despite the CDC declaring the outbreak over, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday that its investigation of associated with Taylor Farms de Mexico continues, as well as the investigations into other cyclospora clusters from this summer.
In a letter sent to supply chain industry leaders on Friday, the FDA said: “Our message is straightforward: while there are practices known to reduce Cyclospora risk, more work must be done. We are asking you to build on industry investments in prevention and mitigation efforts and to ensure these best practices are rigorously and consistently implemented throughout this supply chain.”
“FDA reminds the regulated industry that they must apply established, science-based agricultural water management practices, worker health and hygiene controls, and buildings and equipment sanitation practices,” the letter added.
It also said that “strong supplier verification is critical to ensuring that produce entering US commerce meets US food safety standards”.
