Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Hits 47 States — 15,716 Cases, 2 Dead, Iceberg Lettuce Recall Expands

The United States is experiencing its largest cyclosporiasis outbreak on record. As of August 17, 2026, the CDC has reported 15,716 lab-confirmed cases across 47 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The outbreak has hospitalized 828 people and killed two. Federal health officials have linked 9,481 cases in 17 states to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Michigan remains the epicenter. State health officials reported 13,909 cases, 314 hospitalizations, and both deaths as of August 13. The Michigan figure includes all reported state cases, including infections not yet assigned to the lettuce-associated cluster and cases delayed by a laboratory backlog.

To understand the scale: the U.S. recorded 3,955 cyclosporiasis cases in all of 2025. The number of illnesses over the past three months has already exceeded last year's total by nearly four times.

What Is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It spreads through contaminated food or water. The incubation period averages one week, and symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and fatigue. Without treatment, the infection can last for weeks or months and cause significant weight loss.

“Cyclospora is not a bacteria. Many of our foodborne illnesses we think of them as bacteria. We can handle them in a little bit different way. Their control and prevention are certainly different,” explained Lynette Johnston, PhD, assistant professor and food safety extension specialist at NC State University. “Cyclospora is definitely a hardier organism that is harder to control. The other thing is we know less about this organism.”

Where the Outbreak Came From

The FDA and CDC's traceback investigations have converged on now-recalled iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico by Taylor Farms, one of the largest fresh-produce suppliers for the U.S. The recall was issued on July 17, 2026, and covered iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico that had been sold at retail stores, served in restaurants, and distributed to food service customers.

“We definitely see a decline due to that outbreak,” Johnston said. “So the good news there is that one, we do see cases declining from that. Two, we're past the point of any new recall because that particular lettuce, because of that recall, we should not be seeing any of that lettuce on the market anymore.”

The best-by dates for recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico products have passed. They should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.

What You'll Learn in This Article

• The scale of the 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak and which states are hardest hit
• The suspected source: recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico
• Symptoms, treatment, and prevention of cyclosporiasis
• Why Cyclospora is harder to control than common foodborne bacteria
• What the CDC and FDA are doing next

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