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Wednesday, July 22Wednesday, July 22
7 days · 5 summary articles
The U.S. is grappling with an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea, with over 10,000 cases reported across more than 40 states. The source of the outbreak has been traced to lettuce from Taylor Farms, a produce company with facilities in central Mexico. The company has made substantial political donations to conservative groups, including $1 million to MAGA Inc., a Trump-aligned super PAC.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with an additional 7,400 cases under investigation. The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which issued a voluntary recall of its products on July 17. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially reported a positive test for the parasite in a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce but later determined it to be a false positive.
The outbreak has led to 308 hospitalizations and no deaths so far. The CDC has warned that the number of cases is likely higher due to underreporting and the time lag in reporting. The outbreak has also sparked confusion and controversy, with Taylor Farms celebrating the false positive result and the FDA clarifying that it does not change the basis for their ongoing investigation.
Taylor Farms has been a significant donor to conservative groups, with donations totaling more than $3.6 million between 2020 and 2025, including $1 million to MAGA Inc. The company's CEO, Bruce Taylor, has also made substantial political donations to Republican PACs and candidates. The political donations have raised questions about the company's influence on the government's response to the outbreak.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the outbreak is under control and that the source has been identified. The FDA has emphasized that their decisions are based on science and the safety of the American people, not political influence. Taylor Farms has issued statements defending their products and recalling the affected lettuce.
The investigation into the source of the outbreak remains ongoing, with the FDA and CDC continuing to collect and analyze product samples. The CDC has noted that cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to the states with known cases and that the true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher than the number reported.
The outbreak has also had an impact on local farmers, who have seen an increase in sales as shoppers avoid pre-packed produce. The outbreak has highlighted the importance of thorough food safety measures and the need for continued vigilance in monitoring and responding to foodborne illnesses.
The FDA and CDC have advised consumers to avoid eating lettuce from Taylor Farms and to thoroughly wash and cook all produce to reduce the risk of exposure to the cyclospora parasite. The agencies have also emphasized the importance of reporting any suspected cases of cyclosporiasis to local health authorities.
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US cyclosporiasis cases top 4,100 as CDC investigates lettuce-linked outbreak reut.rs/4wmiuxQ
bluesky_Reuters · about 4 hours ago
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axios · about 4 hours ago
Taylor Farms spent millions backing MAGA before diarrhea outbreak. Now theyre arguing over test results The company claims the FDA has apologized for a false positive test linking it to the diarrhea outbreak, which the FDA denies
independent · about 4 hours ago
CDC reports over 4,000 cyclosporiasis cases in 41 states amid outbreak
news.yahoo.com · about 4 hours ago
Making sense of claims about Taylor Farms, CEOs Trump donations and meetings Records showed that Taylor Fresh Foods made a $1 million donation to a Trump-aligned Super PAC. Bruce Taylor didnt directly donate any money.
snopes · about 5 hours ago
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financial times · about 5 hours ago
Rekordmånga TBE-fall i år – fästingarna blir fler Antalet fall av TBE-smitta från fästingbett ökar stadigt. I år har 213 personer smittats – vilket är en klar ökning mot tidigare år.
svenska dagbladet · about 5 hours ago
Fästingplåga – TBE-fallen skjuter i höjden Antalet fall av TBE-smitta från fästingbett ökar stadigt. I år har 213 personer smittats – vilket är en klar ökning mot tidigare år.
svenska dagbladet · about 5 hours ago
US says more than 1,400 infected by parasitic Cyclospora illness outbreak US officials claim evidence points to lettuce grown in Mexico, which Mexicos Health Ministry disputes.
aljazeera · about 7 hours ago
RFK Jr says source of cyclospora outbreak identified, declares parasite outbreak under control
news.yahoo.com · about 7 hours ago
Confusion swirls on source of diarrhea outbreak, but its still Taylor Farms Taylor Farms stirred confusion on FDA test and provided a vague recall list.
ars technica · about 8 hours ago
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die zeit · about 9 hours ago
Local farmers reap rewards from explosive diarrhea outbreak as shoppers avoid pre-packed produce There are currently more than 10,000 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S.
independent · about 9 hours ago
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dagens nyheter · about 9 hours ago
RFK Jr says outbreak of explosive diarrhea parasite is under control despite cases increasing There are now more than 10,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across more than 40 states
independent · about 9 hours ago
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expansion · about 9 hours ago
Taylor Farms Spent Big on MAGA and Anti-Regulatory Lobbying Before Diarrhea Outbreak The company donated more than $3.6 million to conservative groups between 2020 and 2025, including $1 million to the MAGA Inc. super PAC.
wired.com · about 9 hours ago
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la vanguardia · about 9 hours ago