CDC adds four states to multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded lettuce

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the nation’s largest multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states. Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania join Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Michigan, where the illness has been most prevalent.

Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water, causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as severe diarrhea and can require hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported this year. The outbreak, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases, far exceeds the typical annual count of 200 to 1,000 infections.

Health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its facility in central Mexico as the likely source. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating a separate cyclosporiasis cluster linked to an unidentified food product.

Mexican health authorities reported that samples of lettuce and water from the plant tested negative for the parasite, but the FDA has maintained its assessment that the product remains the probable origin. Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce from the Guanajuato facility, and Taco Bell removed the affected lettuce from its restaurants after the chain was identified as a common exposure point.

The CDC has recorded 1,947 infections among people who reported eating at Taco Bell in the nine states, with illnesses beginning on June 22 and continuing through July 20. State health departments have reported higher case numbers than the federal tally.

President Donald Trump made his first public comment on the outbreak, suggesting a major tariff on Mexico because of the lettuce, though it was unclear whether the statement was serious.

Taylor Farms, which supplies produce to major retailers and restaurant chains, faced criticism for the clarity of its recall notice. After a false-positive test result was reported by the FDA, the company posted a statement indicating an apology from the agency, which the FDA later clarified it had not issued.