Multistate product traceforward investigation to link imported romaine lettuce to a US cyclosporiasis outbreak - Nebraska, Texas, and Florida, June-August 2013

Epidemiol Infect. 2016 Oct;144(13):2709-18. doi: 10.1017/S0950268815002320. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Abstract

During June-August 2013, 25 US states reported 631 cyclosporiasis cases including Nebraska and Iowa where a regional investigation implicated common-source imported salad mix served in two chain restaurants. At least two common-origin growing fields were likely sources of contaminated romaine lettuce. Using producer- and distributor-provided data, we conducted a grower-specific traceforward investigation to reveal exposures of ill US residents elsewhere who reported symptom onset during 11 June-1 July 2013, the time period established in the Nebraska and Iowa investigation. Romaine lettuce shipped on 2-6 June from one of these Mexico-origin growing fields likely caused cyclosporiasis in 78 persons reporting illness onsets from 11 June to 1 July in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida. Nationwide, 97% (314/324) of persons confirmed with cyclosporiasis with symptom onset from 11 June to 1 July 2013 resided in 11 central and eastern US states receiving approximately two-thirds of romaine lettuce from this field. This grower's production practices should be investigated to determine potential sources of contamination and to develop recommendations to prevent future illnesses.

Keywords: Cyclospora; epidemiology; foodborne infections; outbreaks; parasites.

MeSH terms

  • Commerce
  • Cyclospora / isolation & purification*
  • Cyclosporiasis / epidemiology*
  • Cyclosporiasis / parasitology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Food Parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Lactuca / parasitology*
  • Mexico
  • Nebraska / epidemiology
  • Restaurants
  • Texas / epidemiology