The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday linked a cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce to nine states, adding Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania to previously reported Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. Nearly 2,000 confirmed illnesses and 98 hospitalizations have been reported in the investigation, which public health agencies have associated with recalled bagged iceberg lettuce products. Health officials and the Food and Drug Administration said the recall remains justified after FDA clarified that a false positive border sample does not change the epidemiology supporting the recall. Investigators trace the product back to shredded iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico, and recalled items named in posts include Marketside bagged iceberg salad in 12-, 24-, 8- and 16-ounce sizes. State and federal labs are involved in testing and case counting as officials continue interviews and traceback to narrow the contamination source. The CDC expansion means additional state health departments will now undertake case identification and public messaging tied to the recall and ongoing investigation.
