WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Health officials are urging residents in Knox and Licking counties to take extra precautions when handling fresh produce as cases of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes a foodborne illness known as cyclosporiasis, have been confirmed locally amid a growing nationwide outbreak.
The Ohio Department of Health has reported a sharp increase in Cyclospora infections this summer, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases statewide by mid-July. Many additional illnesses remain under investigation, and health officials believe the true number of cases is likely higher because many people never seek testing.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that spreads through contaminated food or water. Unlike many common stomach illnesses, symptoms often last for weeks and may disappear before returning.
Common symptoms include:
- Frequent watery diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating and gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Low-grade fever in some cases
The illness is treatable with prescription antibiotics, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that routine stool tests often do not detect Cyclospora. Patients experiencing prolonged diarrhea should ask their healthcare provider to specifically test for the parasite.
Taylor Farms Investigation Takes New Turn
The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Last week, the FDA traced the outbreak to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, prompting the company to voluntarily remove all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and issue a recall affecting retail and food-service products.
However, federal investigators announced Sunday that an earlier laboratory result showing Cyclospora in a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce was actually a false positive.
Despite that finding, the FDA says the recall remains in effect while investigators continue working to identify the exact source of contamination. The agency says epidemiological evidence still links the recalled lettuce to the outbreak, even though no product has tested positive for Cyclospora after additional laboratory review.
Taylor Farms said it is continuing its voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution and has indefinitely removed iceberg lettuce sourced from the implicated growing region in central Mexico. The company says no other Taylor Farms products are affected, and its branded salad kits do not contain iceberg lettuce.
How to Protect Yourself
While investigators continue tracing the source of the outbreak, health officials recommend consumers:
- Check refrigerators for recalled iceberg lettuce products and throw them away immediately.
- If eating at a restaurant, ask where the iceberg lettuce was sourced if you’re unsure.
- Wash hands, cutting boards and food preparation surfaces after handling fresh produce.
- Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.
- Contact a healthcare provider if you develop severe or prolonged diarrhea, especially after eating fresh produce or restaurant salads in the past two weeks.
The FDA also recommends thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing any containers or surfaces that came into contact with recalled lettuce to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Federal and state health officials continue to investigat
