Cyclospora outbreak expands to nine US states, health officials say

July 24, 2026

A cyclospora parasite outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has expanded to nine US states as part of what officials are calling the largest recorded outbreak in American history. Since mid-May, over 11,000 cases have been documented across 41 states, with Michigan bearing the brunt of infections at more than 8,100 cases. The parasite causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness characterized by severe diarrhea, and Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all affected lettuce products on July 17th.

Who is affected

More than 11,000 people across 41 US states
Residents in nine states specifically linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce: Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia
Michigan residents (more than 8,100 infected, the hardest-hit state)
Taylor Farms (the food supplier that issued the recall)

What action is being taken

The CDC is tracking cases and warning people not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms sourced from central Mexico
Taylor Farms is conducting a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico
Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration and CDC are conducting investigations into the outbreak

Why it matters

This is the largest reported cyclospora outbreak in US history, affecting thousands of people with a severe intestinal illness that causes explosive diarrhea. The difficulty in tracing the parasite's origins poses ongoing public health challenges, as symptoms may not appear until weeks after consumption, making it hard to prevent further spread and identify contamination sources quickly.

What's next

The investigation of the multistate outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce is expected to be slow-going and could take a couple of months after the first illnesses occur before the picture becomes clearer, according to food safety experts.

Read full article from source: BBC