CDC reports lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak spreads to two more states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to include Maine and Massachusetts, adding to the 15 states previously identified. The agency reported that 9,481 laboratory-confirmed cases are now associated with the lettuce, up from 6,358 earlier in the month.

Since early May, the United States has recorded 13,895 confirmed Cyclospora infections across 47 states, with an additional 10,455 cases pending laboratory confirmation. Michigan and Ohio have reported the highest numbers, and Michigan health officials confirmed the first two deaths linked to the outbreak.

The Food and Drug Administration traced the largest cluster of illnesses to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico. Most of the recalled product was distributed to Walmart’s Marketside brand (about 46% of the total), followed by Taylor Farms itself (approximately 29%). Smaller portions went to Yum! Brands (including Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut), Subway, Jack in the Box, and food-service distributors such as Sysco.

"The investigation continues to identify additional sources of Cyclospora infections," a CDC spokesperson said.

Health officials are also monitoring separate clusters of the illness that have not yet been linked to the lettuce, including one affecting at least 172 people. The FDA has not identified a source for these additional cases.