A gut bacterium with benign to harmful strains
The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has expanded to additional states. FDA tracebacks identify Taylor Farms de Mexico as a key supplier; Taco Bell has removed affected lettuce and recalls are ongoing. Public health officials warn consumers and stress washing and cooking precautions where relevant.
The CDC and FDA have tied a cyclosporiasis outbreak to iceberg lettuce from a Mexican supplier. Taco Bell and other chains have removed affected lettuce as the investigation continues; about 7,000 cases have been reported across 34 states.
An uptick in cyclospora cases linked to leafy greens has prompted a national look at farm-to-table safety. Government and industry are tightening traceability and cleaning practices as retailers warn shoppers to be cautious with raw produce. The spread appears ongoing, with several outlets reporting new cases as investigators pursue the source.
Researchers at Stanford and the Arc Institute have used generative genome models to design and synthesise bacteriophage genomes; 16 of the lab-made viruses proved viable and a cocktail of them rapidly killed E. coli strains resistant to natural phages. Experts have warned the work has raised urgent biosafety and biosecurity questions about AI-designed genomes.
Officials say 23 people in Minnesota have fallen ill with E. coli or salmonella, linked to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts (Calco/Everything Sprouts). Wisconsin cases also connect to the same supplier. Investigators are coordinating with federal authorities to pinpoint the source and scope of contamination.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce over after cases have fallen sharply. Federal investigators have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico by Taylor Farms; about 12,800 people were infected, 570 were hospitalised and two people died.
The FDA has closed its investigation into the Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce. Investigators found cyclospora in a wastewater tank and a drainage ditch at the Taylor Farms site in Guanajuato, Mexico, but the agency says it is unclear how contamination occurred. The outbreak had caused nearly 13,000 illnesses across the United States.