KENTUCKY (WMDJ) — Kentucky health officials are investigating 192 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, including 108 laboratory-confirmed cases, as federal investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states, including Kentucky, as a likely source of many illnesses.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health says seven people have been hospitalized. Confirmed cases have been reported in 36 Kentucky counties, Locally, four in Letcher County and one in Morgan County. The counties with the most cases are Jefferson with 30, Madison with 10, and Fayette with 9.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration say their investigation traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied from Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The FDA identified a single supplier, but officials have not publicly named the company.
Earlier this week, Taco Bell said it had voluntarily and temporarily removed certain ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution while continuing to work with public health officials.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. Symptoms typically begin two to 14 days after exposure and commonly include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal cramping. The illness is generally treated with antibiotics.
Health officials encourage anyone who develops severe or prolonged diarrhea after eating fresh produce or dining at an affected Taco Bell restaurant to contact a healthcare provider.
