An outbreak of the parasitic intestinal illness cyclosporiasis has infected more than 4,100 people across the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Tuesday, 308 confirmed cases have led to hospitalizations across 41 states, with no fatalities reported so far. The CDC also noted that 7,400 suspected infections are under investigation, and the total number is expected to rise.

Symptoms, which typically appear about a week after exposure to the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite through contaminated food or water, include frequent and prolonged diarrhea that can last for weeks.

Many cases have been linked to lettuce products. On July 17, US firm Taylor Farms issued a recall for iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and exported to US retailers and restaurants after investigators pointed to Mexican facilities as a likely source.

However, Mexican Health Secretary David Kershenobich disputed the findings, stating on Tuesday that there is no evidence the outbreak originated in the central state of Guanajuato, where authorities are conducting investigations.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided conflicting information on the source. On Saturday, the agency reported a positive test for the parasite in a sample of Mexican lettuce from Taylor Farms, only to retract it as a false positive on Sunday. On Monday, the FDA reiterated that its supply chain investigation continues to point to the company's Mexican facilities.

Source: www.aljazeera.com