RFK Jr. Declares Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Manageable Despite 1,600 Cases

WHO:

NBC News - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is involved in addressing the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

WHAT:

KOCO - Oklahoma's cyclosporiasis cases have increased to 172, with 12 hospitalizations reported, up from 56 cases the previous week.

ABC News - The CDC reported more than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases across 41 states, with at least 4,173 being laboratory-confirmed cases and 308 hospitalizations.

ABC News - The CDC is aware of at least 7,400 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed, with many reported by Michigan and Ohio.

Forbes - The CDC reported that there are 1,645 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 34 reporting states, with 145 leading to hospitalization.

CBS News - The CDC is now reporting more than 4,000 confirmed cases in 41 states.

KOCO - Oklahoma's cyclosporiasis cases have increased to 172, with 12 hospitalizations reported, up from 56 cases the previous week.

WTNH - The total number of cyclospora cases reported in Connecticut stands at 60, with four cases requiring hospitalization.

ABC News - The CDC reported more than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases across 41 states, with at least 4,173 being laboratory-confirmed cases and 308 hospitalizations.

ABC News - The CDC is aware of at least 7,400 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed, with many reported by Michigan and Ohio.

CBS News - The CDC is now reporting more than 4,000 confirmed cases in 41 states.

NBC News - Mexico's investigation has not found evidence linking the outbreak to the Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico.

KOCO - Oklahoma's cyclosporiasis cases have increased to 172, with 12 hospitalizations reported, up from 56 cases the previous week.

Forbes - The CDC reported that there are more than 5,100 other cases requiring further analysis to confirm the illness as cyclosporiasis.

CBS News - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first public comment on the growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, declaring it "under control" and denying that cutbacks to monitoring activities have hurt U.S. food safety.

Forbes - Kennedy stated, “We do have the outbreak under control,” and noted that officials have identified the source of the outbreak, with companies involved implementing recalls.

Forbes - The CDC reported that there are 1,645 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 34 reporting states, with 145 leading to hospitalization.

Forbes - There are 1,645 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 34 reporting states, with 145 leading to hospitalization.

Forbes - The CDC reported that there are more than 5,100 other cases requiring further analysis to confirm the illness as cyclosporiasis.

KOCO - Oklahoma's cyclosporiasis cases have increased to 172, with 12 hospitalizations reported. The Oklahoma State Department of Health confirmed 170 cases through laboratory testing and identified 2 probable cases based on symptoms and contact with a product that facilitated transmission.

KOCO - The median age of patients in Oklahoma is 40, with 55% being women and 45% men. The number of cases has more than tripled from 56 reported the previous week.

ABC News - There are 1,600 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in five states.

NBC News - RFK Jr. stated that the outbreak is "under control."

WHERE:

ABC News - The outbreak is affecting five states in the U.S.

NBC News - Mexico is conducting its own investigation regarding the outbreak.

WHEN:

KOCO - The cyclosporiasis season runs from May 1 to August 31.

WHY:

Forbes - The FDA acknowledged a false positive result from a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms, leaving no clearly identified source for the outbreak.

Forbes - Kennedy argued that there were no funding cuts to the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network that would end its tracking of cyclospora, despite the CDC noting that reporting of cyclospora became optional in 2025.

NBC News - Mexico has cast doubt on the link between the outbreak and the Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico.

HOW:

NBC News - Taco Bell announced that it had voluntarily removed potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain after the FDA linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility.

Forbes - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that officials have identified the source of the outbreak, citing "extensive forensics" testing, despite the FDA acknowledging a false positive result from a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms.

NBC News - The FDA is working with Taylor Farms to ensure that products implicated in the outbreak have been removed from the market.

Forbes - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that officials have identified the source of the outbreak and that the companies involved have implemented recalls.

ABC News - RFK Jr. communicated the status of the outbreak through an interview with ABC News.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 22:19 UTC)

Oklahoma has seen a significant rise in cyclosporiasis cases, now totaling 172, with 12 hospitalizations, a sharp increase from just 56 cases the previous week. Nationwide, the CDC has reported over 11,500 cases across 41 states, including more than 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases and 308 hospitalizations, while also noting at least 7,400 additional cases that have yet to be confirmed, particularly in Michigan and Ohio. In response to the outbreak, Taco Bell has voluntarily removed potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain after the FDA linked the issue to shredded iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 18:18 UTC)

Oklahoma is seeing a significant rise in cyclosporiasis cases, now totaling 172, with 12 people hospitalized, a sharp increase from just 56 cases last week. In Connecticut, the number of reported cyclospora cases has reached 60, with four individuals requiring hospitalization. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has confirmed that officials have pinpointed the source of the outbreak through "extensive forensics" testing, even as the FDA noted a false positive from a lettuce sample linked to Taylor Farms.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 16:22 UTC)

The CDC has reported over 11,500 cases of cyclosporiasis across 41 states, with at least 4,173 confirmed by laboratory tests and 308 resulting in hospitalizations. Additionally, there are at least 7,400 more cases that have not yet been confirmed, with many of these reports coming from Michigan and Ohio. In response to the outbreak, Taco Bell has voluntarily removed potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain after the FDA linked the situation to shredded iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 14:40 UTC)

The CDC is now reporting over 4,000 confirmed cases of the outbreak across 41 states. Meanwhile, Mexico's investigation has not found any evidence linking the outbreak to the Taylor Farms facility located in central Mexico. As the situation develops, health officials continue to monitor the spread and investigate potential sources.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 13:23 UTC)

Oklahoma is seeing a significant rise in cyclosporiasis cases, now totaling 172, with 12 hospitalizations reported, a sharp increase from just 56 cases the previous week. Meanwhile, the CDC has identified over 5,100 additional cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as cyclosporiasis. The FDA is collaborating with Taylor Farms to ensure that any products linked to the outbreak are removed from the market, following a false positive result from a sample of their lettuce, which has left the source of the outbreak unclear.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 10:42 UTC)

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, asserting that it is "under control" and refuting claims that budget cuts have compromised U.S. food safety. He confirmed that the source of the outbreak has been identified, with companies taking action to implement recalls, while the CDC reported 1,645 confirmed cases across 34 states, including 145 hospitalizations. Kennedy emphasized that there have been no funding cuts to the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network, despite the CDC's decision to make reporting of cyclospora optional in 2025.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 07:48 UTC)

There are currently 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states, with 145 of those cases resulting in hospitalization. The CDC has also reported over 5,100 additional cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that officials have identified the source of the outbreak, and the companies involved have already initiated recalls.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 02:50 UTC)

Cyclosporiasis cases in Oklahoma have surged to 172, with 12 hospitalizations confirmed, as reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The median age of those affected is 40, with a demographic breakdown showing 55% women and 45% men, and the number of cases has more than tripled from just 56 reported the previous week. The current cyclosporiasis season, which runs from May 1 to August 31, continues to see these alarming increases.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 23:17 UTC)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively addressing a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has led to 1,600 reported cases across five states in the U.S. In an interview with ABC News, RFK Jr. assured the public that the outbreak is "under control," while Mexico is also investigating the situation and has raised questions about a potential link to the Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico. As officials work to manage the outbreak, the focus remains on ensuring public health and safety in the affected areas.