Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Lettuce Expands to 15 States

WHO:

CNN - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is involved in monitoring the outbreak.

CNN - Taylor Farms is identified as a produce supplier linked to the outbreak.

CNN - Bill Marler, a Seattle-based attorney and food safety advocate, provided insights on the outbreak.

WHAT:

CNN - The CDC has confirmed that the outbreak now accounts for 6,358 illnesses, with 278 hospitalizations and two deaths linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

TODAY.com - The FDA is currently investigating six separate cyclospora outbreaks across the country, with the largest one spanning 15 states.

TODAY.com - The total number of confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the U.S. has reached almost 23,000.

TODAY.com - The CDC identified more than 22,700 cases of domestic cyclosporiasis this season, with 10,468 confirmed and over 12,200 under investigation.

TODAY.com - The FDA is currently investigating six separate cyclospora outbreaks across the country.

TODAY.com - The recalled products were distributed to 27 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

TODAY.com - The recalled iceberg lettuce products include Iceberg Salad (12 oz., 24 oz.; best if used by July 18–Aug. 3, 2026) and Shredded Lettuce (8 oz., 16 oz.; best if used by July 18–Aug. 3, 2026).

CNN - The CDC has confirmed that the outbreak now accounts for 6,358 illnesses across 15 states.

WOWT - The CDC reported 92 cyclosporiasis illnesses in Nebraska and 83 in Iowa linked to the outbreak.

TODAY.com - The CDC identified more than 22,700 cases of domestic cyclosporiasis this season, with 10,468 confirmed and over 12,200 under investigation.

TODAY.com - The true number of Americans sickened by cyclosporiasis this summer may be as high as 1 million, according to estimates by food safety advocate Bill Marler.

TODAY.com - The CDC has confirmed 10,468 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, with an additional 12,255 probable cases under investigation.

TODAY.com - The total number of confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the U.S. has reached almost 23,000.

TODAY.com - The two deaths from cyclosporiasis occurred in Michigan in individuals with significant underlying health conditions.

TODAY.com - The FDA is currently investigating seven clusters of related cases of cyclosporiasis this summer.

TODAY.com - The FDA has not specified the locations of the other five outbreaks under investigation.

TODAY.com - As of early August, there have been 10,468 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, with an additional 12,255 probable cases under investigation.

ABC News Health - There have been 517 hospitalizations and two deaths reported since May 1.

TODAY.com - Michigan has reported 12,218 cyclosporiasis cases and 193 hospitalizations as of August 5.

TODAY.com - Ohio has reported over 4,000 cases, Indiana has recorded nearly 1,349 cases, Missouri has had 1,095 infections, Illinois reported 995 cases, North Carolina has 867 cases, and New York has 753 cases since May 1.

TODAY.com - The FDA is currently investigating six separate cyclospora outbreaks across the country.

CNN - The outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been linked to lettuce sold at restaurants and grocery stores.

CNN - The outbreak now accounts for more than 6,000 cases, with nearly 300 hospitalizations and two deaths.

CNN - The CDC has implemented a level 3 emergency response to the outbreak.

ABC News Health - Parasitic illness cases have been confirmed in 15 states.

WHERE:

TODAY.com - Cases have been reported in 47 states, with only New Mexico, Montana, and Hawaii reporting zero cases since May 1.

TODAY.com - The outbreak has affected states including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

TODAY.com - Michigan has reported 12,218 cyclosporiasis cases and 193 hospitalizations as of August 5.

TODAY.com - The outbreak has affected states including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

TODAY.com - The outbreak has affected states including Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

TODAY.com - Cases have been reported in 47 states, with only New Mexico, Montana, and Hawaii reporting zero cases since May 1.

CNN - The outbreak has affected states including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

CNN - Michigan has reported that about 1 in every 1,000 people has been affected by the outbreak.

WHEN:

CNN - Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico on July 17.

CNN - The CDC identified more than 22,700 cases of domestic cyclosporiasis this season.

WHY:

CNN - Experts believe that because lettuce is perishable, the stuff that was making people sick was eaten or thrown away long ago.

TODAY.com - Health officials suspect there may be multiple sources contributing to the cyclospora surge in the U.S., and investigations are ongoing to identify these sources.

CNN - The illnesses are probably caused by the same strain of the cyclospora parasite.

CNN - Taylor Farms conducted a recall "out of an abundance of caution."

HOW:

CNN - Taco Bell has removed all affected shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants in certain states.

CNN - The CDC has implemented a level 3 emergency response to the outbreak, allowing for staff repurposing.

TODAY.com - Taco Bell has removed all affected shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants in certain states.

TODAY.com - The FDA and CDC have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell as a possible source of the outbreak, following interviews with over 1,900 sick individuals.

CNN - The CDC is actively monitoring and working on the outbreak investigation, allowing for staff repurposing.

CNN - Experts believe that the contaminated lettuce was likely consumed or discarded before the outbreak was identified.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 18:28 UTC)

The CDC has confirmed that the outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has resulted in 6,358 illnesses, with 278 hospitalizations and two deaths. Meanwhile, the FDA is investigating six separate cyclospora outbreaks across the country, with the largest affecting 15 states, and the total number of confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. has reached almost 23,000. In response to the outbreak, Taco Bell has removed all affected shredded iceberg lettuce from its restaurants in certain states.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:31 UTC)

The FDA is currently investigating six separate cyclospora outbreaks across the country, with recalled iceberg lettuce products distributed to 27 states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Michigan has reported over 12,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, while Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri have also seen significant numbers of infections since May 1. In response to the outbreak, the CDC has activated a level 3 emergency response, enabling staff repurposing to address the situation.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:21 UTC)

The CDC has confirmed that the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis has resulted in 6,358 illnesses across 15 states, with notable cases including 92 in Nebraska and 83 in Iowa. This season, over 22,700 cases of domestic cyclosporiasis have been identified, with estimates suggesting that as many as 1 million Americans may have been affected. In response to the outbreak, Taco Bell has removed all impacted shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants in several states.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 08:16 UTC)

The CDC has confirmed over 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, with nearly 23,000 total confirmed and probable cases reported. Tragically, two deaths linked to the outbreak occurred in Michigan among individuals with significant underlying health conditions. The FDA is investigating seven clusters of related cases this summer, and they have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell as a possible source after interviewing more than 1,900 affected individuals.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 05:03 UTC)

As of early August, there have been over 10,000 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, along with more than 12,000 probable cases still under investigation, leading to 517 hospitalizations and two reported deaths. Michigan has been particularly hard hit, reporting over 12,000 cases, while other states like Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri have also seen significant numbers of infections. The FDA is currently investigating six separate outbreaks across 47 states, as health officials work to determine the multiple sources contributing to this surge.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:56 UTC)

The outbreak of cyclosporiasis, linked to lettuce sold at restaurants and grocery stores, has now resulted in over 6,000 cases, nearly 300 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 15 states, including Arkansas, Iowa, and North Carolina. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is actively monitoring the situation and has implemented a level 3 emergency response, while Taylor Farms has recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico as a precaution. Food safety advocate Bill Marler has noted that the illnesses are likely caused by the same strain of the cyclospora parasite, with experts suggesting that the contaminated lettuce may have been consumed or discarded before the outbreak was detected.