The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a public health warning over a Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five U.S. states, urging consumers to avoid the product and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms.

According to the CDC, more than 1,644 people affected in the outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia before becoming ill.

A traceback investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico as the source of the contaminated lettuce served at the affected restaurants.

The FDA said Taco Bell is working to stop using the implicated lettuce, while federal investigators continue working with the supplier to determine whether the contaminated product was distributed to other businesses.

Consumers urged to avoid affected lettuce

Health officials are advising the public not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in the five affected states.

Anyone who has eaten the lettuce and develops symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis is urged to contact a healthcare provider.

The CDC noted that routine stool tests do not always screen for the Cyclospora parasite, meaning patients may need to specifically request testing if infection is suspected.

Symptoms may last for weeks

According to the agency, symptoms of cyclosporiasis generally begin about one week after infection, although they may appear anywhere from two days to more than two weeks after consuming contaminated food or water.

Common symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach cramping
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea

Without appropriate treatment, symptoms can persist for several days to more than a month, the CDC warned.

Patients experiencing diarrhea are advised to remain well-hydrated while seeking medical care.

Investigation continues

The CDC said state and local health officials may interview infected individuals to determine what foods they consumed during the two weeks before becoming ill, helping investigators identify any additional sources of contamination.

Healthcare providers have also been asked to report confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis to local public health authorities.

Food safety recommendations

To reduce the risk of Cyclospora infection, the CDC recommends washing hands thoroughly and rinsing fresh produce under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.

However, officials cautioned that washing alone cannot reliably remove the parasite. Cooking produce to an internal temperature of at least 158°F (70°C) is considered the most effective way to kill Cyclospora.

The CDC also encouraged consumers to stay informed about food recalls and outbreak alerts as the investigation continues.

Federal health authorities said they are continuing to work with the FDA and other partners to determine whether contaminated lettuce from the identified supplier was distributed beyond the Taco Bell locations currently linked to the outbreak. (ILKHA)