Johnson County has confirmed 221 cases of Cyclospora, a parasitic illness tied to recalled shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms.
The county's case count, compiled from Kansas Department of Health and Environment data and reported by the Kansas City Star on Aug. 26 makes Johnson County the hardest-hit jurisdiction in the greater Kansas City area. The region has logged 1,037 total confirmed cases across Kansas and Missouri counties.
Kansas statewide has reported 829 confirmed cases, with 305 directly linked by the CDC to the 17-state outbreak. Missouri has reported 2,152 cases, the third-most outbreak-linked cases nationally behind Michigan and Ohio.
Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 17,180 domestic cases since May 1, according to the Kansas City Star. As of Aug. 18, at least 828 people had been hospitalized and two had died, according to Newsweek. Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, told Time magazine on Aug. 26 that the outbreak may rank among the largest documented foodborne illness events in U.S. history. "We've never seen anything like that before," Hamilton said.
Signs the peak may have passed
A spokesperson for Jackson County Public Health in Missouri said the jurisdiction appears to have passed its peak infection point, based on a weekly case chart shared with the Kansas City Star. The department's epidemiology team continues tracking case numbers.
No equivalent statement from Johnson County health officials has been made public.
What to watch for
Symptoms typically begin about one week after consuming contaminated food. They include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, exhaustion and weight loss. Without treatment, illness can last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may disappear before returning.
Testing requires a specific request
Dr. Adeyemi Adedokun, an epidemiologist with Jackson County Public Health, said residents who suspect infection should tell their doctor to order Cyclospora-specific testing.
"Ask your provider to specifically request Cyclospora testing, as it is not reliably detected on routine stool exams," Adedokun said.
The standard treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), sold as Bactrim or Septra.
What to avoid
Taylor Farms recalled its central Mexico iceberg lettuce on July 17 after traceback investigations linked the ingredient to Taco Bell locations in multiple states. The recall also covered Marketside-branded products sold at Walmart.
The company has suspended all iceberg lettuce sourcing from central Mexico. The FDA said all recalled lettuce is now off the market.
Adedokun recommended these steps:
- Discard any iceberg lettuce, shredded lettuce or packaged salad blends matching recalled products
- Use caution with fresh produce commonly associated with Cyclospora, including romaine lettuce, raspberries, basil, cilantro and green onions
- Cook food to an internal temperature of 158°F
The CDC says the true number of infections is likely higher than reported because some people recover without seeking medical care. Residents with symptoms can contact their primary care provider or the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
