Rare parasite linked to bagged lettuce sends 84-year-old to ICU

Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Candace McCowan, WSB-TV (ABC) - News · July 23, 2026 · 2 min read

We are hearing from one of the people diagnosed with cyclosporiasis. He spent 8 days in a Henry County ICU. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks ] The 84 year-old, his wife and son believe it was a steak dinner they made at home, where they used bagged lettuce to make a salad...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The case of Floyd "Bud" Medley, an 84-year-old veteran who spent 8 days in the ICU due to cyclosporiasis, raises concerns about food safety in Atlanta. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly 4200 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with 308 hospitalizations, it is crucial for residents to be aware of the risks associated with contaminated produce. The fact that Medley's illness was linked to bagged lettuce used in a salad at home highlights the potential dangers of everyday food items. This incident may prompt local health officials to increase surveillance of food products and educate the public on proper handling and preparation techniques to prevent similar cases. Furthermore, the impact of cyclosporiasis on seniors, like Medley, who are more vulnerable to severe symptoms, should be a priority for local health initiatives.

About this story

Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News · Reading time: 2 min

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This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.

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This story was reported by Candace McCowan at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Candace McCowan, WSB-TV (ABC) - News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 23, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Rare parasite linked to bagged lettuce sends 84-year-old to ICU

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