Outbreak Expands to Nine States
The cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has expanded to four more states, bringing the total to nine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to CBS News on Friday. The outbreak was previously linked to five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The newly added states are Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. The expansion was first reported by the Washington Post. This marks the nation's largest cyclospora outbreak, with thousands of cases reported this year, far exceeding the typical 200 to 1,000 cases.[S1][S2]
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness resulting in severe diarrhea. Patients can require hospitalization. The parasite infects food that has come into contact with human feces, often when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. Symptoms include frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. The illness can take weeks to appear, complicating traceback efforts. According to the CDC, infection typically occurs through contaminated food or water.[S1][S2][S5]
Record Number of Cases
The outbreak is the largest in U.S. history, with thousands of cases reported this year, far exceeding the typical 200 to 1,000 cases annually. The CDC has received reports of 4,173 lab-confirmed domestic cases since May 1 and is investigating more than 7,400 additional cases. So far, 1,947 illnesses have been linked to the iceberg lettuce from June 22 through July 20, including at least 98 hospitalizations and no deaths. State health departments have recorded much higher numbers, with Michigan alone confirming 7,664 cases as of Thursday. Federal health officials have said that other brands or retailers could be tied to the outbreak.[S2][S1][S5]
Michigan has been the hardest-hit state, with state health officials confirming 7,664 cases as of Thursday. The CDC notes that the official tally likely underestimates the true number due to underreporting. The federal count has barely moved even as more than 5,100 illnesses await analysis. The gap highlights the strained federal surveillance system that allowed the outbreak to spread undetected for weeks. Michigan has reported 102 hospitalizations, according to state data. The FDA is also investigating a separate cyclospora outbreak in 72 people from an unidentified product.[S1][S3][S5][S6]
Recall and Investigation
The iceberg lettuce was linked to Taylor Farms, a major produce supplier. The company voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, initially described as limited but later expanded to a nationwide recall covering 27 states. The lettuce was distributed from June 29 to July 16 to retailers including Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods, and restaurant chains including Taco Bell. Taylor Farms is one of the largest fresh-produce companies in the world, with $7 billion annual revenue and more than 25,000 employees. It has been responsible for prior outbreaks, including a cyclospora outbreak in 2013 and an E. coli outbreak in 2024. The FDA has urged consumers to discard any recalled lettuce or return it for a refund. Taco Bell has stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms in its restaurants. The lettuce recall affects 27 states and includes products sold at major retailers.[S2][S6][S3]
A separate outbreak is under investigation by the FDA from an unspecified product. Meanwhile, Mexican health officials tested lettuce and water at the Taylor Farms plant in Guanajuato and found no cyclospora. The FDA earlier reported a false positive test on lettuce at the border, which it later retracted. The investigation continues as more cases are expected. Taylor Farms insists that grocery packages were not involved in the 2013 outbreak, but the FDA has not confirmed that. The investigation into the source is ongoing, and health officials expect more cases to be reported.[S2][S5][S6][S3]
