Kennedy says cyclospora outbreak contained

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that the nationwide cyclospora outbreak is under control, even as infections rise and federal officials caution that reported illnesses will continue increasing amid reporting delays.

"We have the outbreak under control," Kennedy said at a briefing on healthcare fraud. "We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics, and we've identified the source of the outbreak. And the companies that are involved have all implemented a recall."

The Food and Drug Administration on Sunday withdrew a laboratory finding that lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive, saying experts determined the result was a false positive.

The FDA did not reverse the recall, however, and said epidemiological and traceback evidence still implicated the company's lettuce.

Taylor Farms' recall remains in effect for central Mexico iceberg lettuce sold under the Marketside brand at some Walmart stores and distributed to restaurants and food service customers in 27 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases in 34 states as of July 13, along with more than 5,100 reports awaiting analysis.

Among the confirmed patients, 141 were hospitalized and none died, though the CDC said cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported.

Michigan's total reached 6,571 cases Tuesday, according to state health officials, who use a broader and more current reporting system than the CDC.

The figures are not directly comparable because state data can include probable cases and reports that have not completed the CDC's national review.

More than 1,644 illnesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia have been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell, with 94 hospitalizations and no deaths reported in that cluster.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water that most commonly causes watery diarrhea, along with cramps, nausea, fatigue, appetite loss, and weight loss.

Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure, but they can take two days to two weeks to appear, and untreated illness may last weeks or relapse.

The CDC assumes a six-week lag between the onset of illness and national reporting, making more increases likely even after contaminated food is removed from commerce.

Kennedy also defended the administration's reductions to the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet.

"We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance, and all the states will tell you that we're still doing forensics," he said.

Kennedy said last week that seasonal outbreaks are common and identifying a likely source would help consumers.

"There are cyclospora outbreaks every summer. Now that we know the probable culprit, I think it's going to be much easier for people to make healthy choices," he said.

Federal officials advise people not to eat recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce and to contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms.