JCPS administrators answered questions about the Cyclospora virus on Tuesday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Tuesday, Jefferson County Public Schools officials addressed concerns about students potentially contracting the Cyclospora virus while at school.
According to the state Department of Public Health, 274 cases of Cyclosporiasis have been confirmed in Kentucky as of July 29. Forty-one of those confirmed cases are in Jefferson County.
This story continues below.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an intestinal illness, Cyclosporiasis, which notably features explosive diarrhea as a signature symptom.
The FDA says it remains focused on investigating lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a Cyclosporiasis outbreak.
RELATED: JCPS assures parents: School lunches are safe amid parasite outbreak
In a news conference on Tuesday, Terina Edington, executive administrator of School and Community Nutrition Services, said JCPS doesn’t typically serve iceberg lettuce, due to its lack of nutritional value.
“We do not offer iceberg lettuce as part of a credible component as part of the reimbursable meal because it just is not nutrient dense enough to count as a dark green leafy vegetable,” Edington said.
JCPS monitors guidance from local, state and federal health departments. Edington said the district has not received any notification that any produce served at JCPS schools is involved in a recall.
However, out of an abundance of caution, JCPS is removing shredded lettuce from taco day.
“Now, last year we did offer shredded lettuce as part of our taco fixings bar, and just as a precautionary measure, we have decided to discontinue allowing that until this is passed,” Edington said.
The first day of school for JCPS students is Thursday, Aug. 6.
RELATED: Cyclosporiasis linked to 2 deaths in Michigan
