US Cyclosporiasis Cases Reach 10,468 as Mexican Iceberg Lettuce Draws Fresh Warning
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 12
US Cyclosporiasis Cases Reach 10,468 as Mexican Iceberg Lettuce Draws Fresh Warning
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 12
Summary
10,468 laboratory-confirmed US Cyclosporiasis cases had been recorded since May by Aug. 4, with 12,255 more under investigation and two deaths.
The FDA has identified imported Mexican iceberg lettuce as a source, while experts warned bagged salad can amplify contamination because moist packaging helps pathogens multiply.
Dr. Primrose Freestone said bacteria can grow more than 1,000 times better in salad bags and urged consumers to wash leaves, refrigerate them and eat them quickly.
The warning echoes other lettuce-linked illness concerns, including a 2024 UK E. coli outbreak tied to prepacked sandwiches that sickened more than 250 people and hospitalized 86.