WASHINGTON, DC (AP) – Federal health officials have linked four more states to an outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite. The update expands the scope of the largest U.S. outbreak of cyclospora on record. Federal health agencies have been investigating the outbreak tied to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. Their tracing efforts now include PA, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Previously the agency’s investigation included five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Investigators are focused on produce supplier Taylor Farms and imports of lettuce from a location in Mexico. The number of cases linked to the lettuce is now 1,947, including at least 98 people who had to be hospitalized. There have been no deaths.
