CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two federal agencies say West Virginia is one of five states where shredded lettuce from a supplier in Mexico has been sold at some Taco Bells and is causing the bad stomach illness known as cyclosporiasis.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the FDA identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico that supplied some Taco Bell locations in West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
Taco Bell said the bad lettuce would be removed from its restaurants within 24 hours. The exact locations of the restaurants were not listed.
The West Virginia Department of Health posted new case numbers Friday morning. There have been 139 total cases of cycloporiasis with 15 reported cases indicating they had been hospitalized. The state usually has only a handful of cases annually. It reported 69 last week.
The CDC released the following information Friday morning:
- Over 1,644 people in 5 states have been infected with Cyclospora. Illnesses have been reported from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- Ninety-four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
- The illnesses have been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- FDA’s traceback investigation has identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by the Taco Bell locations where sick people ate.
- Shredded iceberg lettuce sold in grocery stores or served in other restaurants is not affected.
- This alert only includes illnesses that are lab confirmed and have been linked to this product, not all cyclosporiasis illnesses being reported to and by CDC.
- Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- If you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis, contact your healthcare provider to receive care and report symptoms.
- You may need to specifically request that your healthcare provider test you for Cyclospora.
- Some people may not experience symptoms.
- Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
- Symptoms usually begin about one week after becoming infected.
- Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
- If you have symptoms, stay well hydrated.
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department reports 33 cases this week. Department Director of Epidemiology Liz Chambers (RN) told MetroNews Thursday cyclosporiasis has been a tough sickness to track.
“The incubation period on it is about two weeks, so the people we are calling, sometimes we are trying to get a food history from them for a month ago. If you think about it, how challenging that could be. It’s hard to remember what you had last week, imagine if somebody is calling and asking where you ate and what you ate from a month ago,” Chambers said.
Berkeley County Health Department Epidemiologist Robert Deener said there’s only been one confirmed case in Berkeley and Morgan counties.
“It’s just more recent that we’ve had it,” Deener told WEPM Radio.
Deener said there are some important things to remember.
“Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water,” Deener said. “We recommend using a produce brush on firm produce and it’s also recommended to cut away damaged areas.”
Deener said washing hands is important.
“You always want to wash your hands with soap and water after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables,” Deener said.
WEPM Reporter Marsha Chwalik contributed to this story.