Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Taco Bell removes some ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution | Today’s news
Taco Bell announced Tuesday that it has temporarily removed some ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Taco Bell said the move was voluntary, adding that health officials have not linked the expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak to the chain or any specific food product.
“Public health officials have not confirmed a connection to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer,” Taco Bell said. The chain said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.
Lettuce under the scanner for cyclosporiasis outbreaks
According to a report by The Washington Post, the ingredients removed from Taco Bell stores include lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo and guacamole.
On Tuesday, federal health officials said there may be different patterns of infection in different places, although they believe cases in at least four states — Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia — are related.
Read also | Cyclospora outbreak: Taco Bell under probe; Michigan links cases to salad greens
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that health officials in Michigan had linked lettuce or other vegetables as a potential source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US.
Although the investigation currently points to contaminated salad greens or lettuce, scientists have not yet ruled out other foods. No specific type of grower, supplier or produce has been linked to the outbreak, Michigan health officials said.
Authorities in Michigan also advised consumers to buy whole heads of lettuce, discard the outer layers and thoroughly wash what’s left, The Associated Press reported. They also suggested that people avoid pre-packaged salads and pre-mixed salad sets.
The case of cyclosporiasis is still increasing
Meanwhile, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases linked to the recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis rose to 1,645, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, an increase of more than 800 cases since the last update a week ago.
Read also | American cyclosporiasis outbreaks can be caused by contaminated lettuce or vegetables
According to Reuters, the current US outbreak, which began on May 1, is centered in Michigan, while Ohio and New York have also reported high numbers of cases.
Infections nationwide resulted in 141 hospitalizations as of July 13, according to the health agency. No deaths were reported.
The CDC said it is also aware of more than 5,100 additional cases that require further analysis and confirmation.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclospora is a microscopic spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. Outbreaks are most often at the end of spring and summer.
The warm-loving parasite infects the intestines and is spread in feces. In the past, people became infected by eating fruits or vegetables that had been exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.
Read also | Diarrheal disease is now reported in 31 US states: What is cyclosporiasis
Cyclosporiasis can be contracted by eating food — usually raw fruits and vegetables — or water contaminated with feces, according to the CDC.
