Lettuce-linked parasitic outbreak 2026
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Lettuce-linked parasitic outbreak spreads
Michigan's health department stated on Aug. 13 that it had 13,909 cases, including the first two deaths identified in the nationwide outbreak.
The CDC pinpointed 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases across 47 states between May 1 and its latest update on Aug. 10.
At least 9,481 cases were confirmed as being part of the lettuce-related outbreak as of the latest update.
Cyclospora outbreak in Nebraska and Iowa linked to Taylor Farms lettuce
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 100 laboratory-confirmed infections during the week of July 5.
The Douglas County Health Department updated its confirmed cyclospora total to 71 on Tuesday.
As of July 29, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department had reported 33 confirmed cases.
Consumer Reports advises against avoiding fruits and vegetables due to Cyclospora
The infections have resulted in at least 740 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market in mid-July.
The recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce is past its use-by date and is likely not in stores or being served at restaurants.
FDA says Taylor Farms Cyclospora lettuce test was a false positive
Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17 after federal investigators traced lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants to Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The FDA said on Saturday that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora.
The FDA said it notified Taylor Farms of the revised finding and continues to work with the company and its Taylor Farms de Mexico operation to ensure products implicated in the investigation have been removed from the market.
“Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive,”
Trump funding cuts slowed government cyclosporiasis response
Although the first illnesses began in mid-May, the CDC did not notify the public or healthcare providers about the outbreak until July 14.
The CDC lost roughly one-quarter of its employees in 2025 through reduction-in-force cuts ordered by the Trump administration.
More than 7,000 cases of cyclospora have been confirmed or are under investigation nationally, with more than 100 hospitalizations and no deaths reported.
Taylor Farms lettuce recall expands after Cyclospora-positive sample
The FDA is investigating illnesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Taco Bell voluntarily removed potentially affected lettuce from the supplier in select states where illnesses have been reported.
The contaminated sample was collected through targeted import surveillance and was not part of Taylor Farms' current recall.
“The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”