The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday, Sept. 11, that a record-setting outbreak of cyclospora infections has ended, citing a sharp decline in new illnesses and the removal of the suspected product from stores and restaurants. More than 12,000 people in 21 states were sickened and two people died, according to the CDC’s latest count. Public health experts say the actual number of infections may be higher because people with severe gastrointestinal symptoms do not always seek medical care or receive testing. Investigators linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico by Taylor Farms. The product is no longer believed to be available for sale, according to the CDC. The Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the lettuce remains active. Taylor Farms said its facility in central Mexico remains closed while the FDA, company officials and independent experts continue their work. “We will have more information to share at that time,” a company spokesperson said. Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that can cause prolonged diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illness. The scale of the outbreak prompted concern among consumers about fresh produce and contributed to disruptions for lettuce growers, including reports that some domestic producers left crops unharvested. The end of the outbreak does not mean all cyclospora risks have been resolved. The FDA continues to track other outbreaks whose sources have not been identified, while officials work to determine how the contaminated lettuce entered the food supply and what measures could prevent a repeat.