The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history to nine states, linking Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania to cases previously confirmed in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The outbreak has been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company recalled the lettuce on July 17 and, a week later, said it would pull all iceberg lettuce sourced from the region from the U.S. market entirely. The recalled lettuce was served at Taco Bell locations across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, according to the CDC.
Health officials stress that the addition of new states does not necessarily mean the outbreak is accelerating — rather, it reflects investigators piecing together a clearer national picture. Cyclosporiasis symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear, and confirming cases through lab testing takes additional time, so reporting typically lags behind actual infections.
Nationally, there are now close to 12,000 confirmed or suspected cyclosporiasis cases this season, according to CDC and state health department tallies — far outpacing the roughly 249 cases reported over the same period in 2025. Michigan has been hit hardest, with nearly 8,000 infections, followed by Ohio with more than 2,500 cases.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that clings to fresh produce and spreads through water contaminated with human waste. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Of the cases with available data, about 9% have required hospitalization; no deaths have been reported.
The CDC recommends that consumers not eat any shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico and discard or return any recalled product still in their homes. Mexico’s health ministry has said its own testing of lettuce and water samples from the supplier’s plant came back negative for the parasite, though U.S. investigators continue to treat the lettuce as the likely common source.
Health officials say the true scale of the outbreak is probably larger than reported, since many people with mild symptoms recover without seeking medical care or being tested. If you are experiencing sensitive gastrointestinal symptoms, please consult a licensed medical professional for personal guidance.
