Health officials urge produce safety measures as outbreak investigation expands
Public health officials stress produce safety measures as cyclospora outbreak investigation advances nationwide.
Event / Health
US Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Cyclosporiasis outbreak across multiple U.S. states linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico, resulting in illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
6 reported locations
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 19 Jul, 05:59 UTC
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What happened
Cyclosporiasis outbreak expands to nine U.S. states
The cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to nine states. Nationally, the CDC has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases as of July 28, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases awaiting confirmation. At least 98 hospitalizations have been reported across the nine states.
Two deaths confirmed in Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak
Two people died in Michigan in connection with the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. These are the first reported deaths associated with the current U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak reaches 11,234 cases with 193 hospitalizations
As of August 3, Michigan has recorded 11,234 cases of cyclosporiasis linked to the outbreak, with 193 people hospitalized. Wayne County reported the highest number of cases with 1,379 infections. Adults aged 30 to 39 years accounted for 2,216 reported cases.
FDA links cyclosporiasis outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms Mexico
An FDA investigation linked the cyclosporiasis outbreak across nine states to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico. Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Authorities are still investigating other potential sources.
Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants
Federal health officials linked cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan and eight other states to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants. The contaminated lettuce originated from Taylor Farms' central Mexico operations.
North Carolina reports 561 cyclosporiasis cases with possible parsley and cilantro link
North Carolina has reported 561 cyclosporiasis cases since May. Preliminary investigations suggest parsley and cilantro, rather than iceberg lettuce, may be the source of these cases.
CDC sends three staffers to Ohio for outbreak investigation
The CDC deployed three staffers to Ohio to assist with the state's cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation. Ohio has reported 2,596 confirmed cases.
Taco Bell pulled lettuce from menu ahead of Taylor Farms recall
Taco Bell removed lettuce from its menu in June ahead of the official recall from Taylor Farms, after investigators linked many outbreak cases to people who had eaten at Taco Bell.
Mexico health ministry reports negative cyclospora test results
Mexico's health ministry reported on July 24 that results of studies of lettuce and water samples from Taylor Farms were negative for cyclospora, following a health inspection of the company's plant in central Mexico.
Shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak
The FDA identified shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico as the likely source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market on July 17.
Cyclosporiasis outbreak expands to 9 U.S. states
The multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The CDC confirmed 1,947 cases across these nine states as of July 24.
Nearly 12,000 confirmed or suspected cyclosporiasis cases nationwide
According to tallies from the CDC and state health departments, there are nearly 12,000 confirmed or suspected cyclosporiasis cases nationwide in 2026, far exceeding the typical 200 to 1,000 cases reported annually.
Michigan reports 7,664 cyclosporiasis cases
Michigan has reported 7,664 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, accounting for the vast majority of cases in the multistate outbreak. The state also reported 160 hospitalizations related to the outbreak.
98 hospitalizations confirmed in cyclosporiasis outbreak across nine states
Of the 1,947 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across the nine linked states, 98 patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported as of July 24. The other eight states beyond Michigan reported nearly 4,000 cases with 57 hospitalizations.
Lettuce also sold at Walmart under Marketside brand
The contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms was also sold at Walmart under the Marketside brand name. Packages with best-if-used-by dates of July 18 to August 3 should be discarded or returned.
Taylor Farms temporarily shuts down central Mexico processing facility
Taylor Farms temporarily closed its central Mexico processing facility that has been linked to the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak by U.S. health officials.
New York reports 632 cyclosporiasis cases since May
New York has reported 632 cyclosporiasis cases since May, though the state is not linked to the multistate outbreak. These cases are being investigated separately.
Cyclospora parasite transmission through contaminated water and produce
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food when it comes into contact with human feces, most commonly through irrigation or washing with contaminated water. When ingested, it causes intestinal illness characterized by frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. Cooking produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) can kill the parasite, and washing hands with soap and water is effective prevention, though alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill the parasite.
Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce from Mexico due to cyclospora contamination
Taylor Farms announced a recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico as the source of a separate, multistate cyclospora outbreak under investigation by federal officials.
New cyclospora outbreak under investigation by US health officials
Federal health officials are investigating a new outbreak of cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrheal illness. As of Wednesday, the outbreak included 72 confirmed cases. The Food and Drug Administration has not yet identified which food products are linked to the illnesses, and officials have not disclosed the geographic locations of the cases.
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2 alternative perspectives
Retailers pull lettuce as investigation confirms outbreak source
CDC confirms outbreak linked to lettuce as retailers pull products from shelves.
FDA Reverses Cyclospora Detection in Taylor Farms Lettuce
FDA reverses cyclospora finding in Taylor Farms lettuce as false positive.
Major food distributor halts Mexican lettuce shipments amid outbreak
Sysco stops distributing Taylor Farms Mexican lettuce to contain cyclospora outbreak spread through food service channels.
Contaminated Mexican lettuce linked to 1,600-person cyclospora outbreak
Cyclospora outbreak in 1,600+ Americans linked to recalled Mexican lettuce distributed through Taco Bell.