The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded what was described as the largest known U.S. cyclospora outbreak, linking the multistate illness event to nine states. The investigation centers on a cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
According to the latest update, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania were newly added to the outbreak. Those states join Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, which had already been connected to the investigation.
The CDC said the outbreak has been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. That detail gives the investigation a clearer focus as health officials continue tracking how the contaminated product moved across state lines.
With the outbreak now spanning nine states, the CDC's update shows the scope of the cyclosporiasis investigation has widened beyond the states first identified. The added states underscore how a foodborne outbreak linked to a single produce source can quickly become a broader public health concern.
