{"id":100741,"date":"2026-07-24T12:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T16:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/cyclospora-outbreak-expands-to-9-states-nearly-2000-sick-from-taco-bell-lettuce\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T12:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T16:32:11","slug":"cyclospora-outbreak-expands-to-9-states-nearly-2000-sick-from-taco-bell-lettuce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/cyclospora-outbreak-expands-to-9-states-nearly-2000-sick-from-taco-bell-lettuce\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyclospora Outbreak Expands to 9 States, Nearly 2,000 Sick from Taco Bell Lettuce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Federal health officials announced Friday that a diarrhea-causing parasite outbreak connected to shredded lettuce has now been traced to four additional states, making it the largest cyclospora outbreak ever recorded in the United States.<\/p>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the outbreak, which was initially tied to Taco Bell restaurants, has expanded to include Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. The agency had previously been investigating cases in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.<\/p>

Health investigators from the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and state agencies have been working to trace the lettuce supply chain and interviewing sick individuals about what they ate in the two weeks before their symptoms began.<\/p>

The confirmed case count linked to Taco Bell lettuce has climbed to 1,947, with at least 98 of those patients requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported, according to the CDC’s website. Officials also noted the true number of infections is likely higher, since many cases go unreported.<\/p>

Earlier this week, FDA officials said their investigation remains focused on lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms as the probable source of the multistate outbreak. The company announced last week that it was recalling iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico.<\/p>

In a separate development, the FDA announced Thursday that it is also looking into a second, unrelated cyclospora outbreak affecting 72 people. Investigators have not yet identified which food products are responsible for those illnesses.<\/p>

Taken together, cyclospora cases have shattered previous U.S. records. Since May 1, the CDC has received reports of more than 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cases and is examining more than 7,400 additional probable cases across 41 states. Officials have warned that other brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels could still be connected to the outbreak as the investigation continues.<\/p>

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that contaminates food when produce comes into contact with human feces \u2014 most often through irrigation or washing with tainted water. Once consumed, the parasite triggers intestinal illness characterized by what the CDC describes as “frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”<\/p>

On Thursday, health officials in Mexico reported that the parasite was not detected in lettuce or water samples taken from the Taylor Farms facility located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Those findings came after Mexican health authorities visited the plant between July 18 and 20, collecting 10 iceberg lettuce samples and four water samples for testing.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A nationwide outbreak of the cyclospora parasite linked to shredded lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants has now spread to nine states, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases. Federal health officials continue to investigate Taylor Farms lettuce grown in central Mexico as the likely source. The outbreak has set a U.S. record, with more than 4,100 confirmed cases and over 7,400 additional suspected cases across 41 states.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":100740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[837],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784910730974.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-qcR","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":96998,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/taco-bell-lettuce-linked-to-parasite-outbreak-spanning-five-states\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":0},"title":"Taco Bell Lettuce Linked to Parasite Outbreak Spanning Five States","author":"Admin","date":"July 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Federal health officials have traced a widespread parasite outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning consumers to avoid the lettuce at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The illness-causing parasite, cyclospora, has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784291588492.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784291588492.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784291588492.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784291588492.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":97464,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/mexico-probes-cyclospora-outbreak-tied-to-lettuce-served-at-taco-bell\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":1},"title":"Mexico Probes Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Lettuce Served at Taco Bell","author":"Admin","date":"July 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Mexican health and agricultural authorities have launched an investigation into a U.S. foodborne illness outbreak connected to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations. The CDC has recorded roughly 100 hospitalizations from the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis across five states. A major lettuce supplier and food distributor\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784394964194.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784394964194.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784394964194.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784394964194.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784394964194.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":97560,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/taylor-farms-recalls-iceberg-lettuce-in-27-states-due-to-parasite-concern\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":2},"title":"Taylor Farms Recalls Iceberg Lettuce in 27 States Due to Parasite Concern","author":"Admin","date":"July 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Taylor Farms has broadened a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products tied to a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has affected people across the country. The products, sourced from central Mexico, were shipped to 27 states and may be contaminated with a parasite that causes severe intestinal illness. Consumers are urged\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784417497773.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784417497773.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784417497773.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784417497773.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":97070,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wendys-and-chipotle-clear-themselves-amid-taco-bell-lettuce-outbreak\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":3},"title":"Wendy’s and Chipotle Clear Themselves Amid Taco Bell Lettuce Outbreak","author":"Admin","date":"July 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Wendy's and Chipotle Mexican Grill have both stated they are not connected to a cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce at certain Taco Bell locations. The outbreak has sickened more than 1,600 people across five states. Federal health agencies continue to investigate the source of the contamination.","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784301457962.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":97121,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/michigan-cyclosporiasis-cases-top-5000-amid-taco-bell-lettuce-investigation\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":4},"title":"Michigan Cyclosporiasis Cases Top 5,000 Amid Taco Bell Lettuce Investigation","author":"Admin","date":"July 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Michigan health officials have recorded more than 5,000 cases of a parasitic intestinal illness, with investigators working to pinpoint the outbreak's source. The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across five states. A California-based lettuce supplier has announced a recall of products connected\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784306781650.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784306781650.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784306781650.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784306781650.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784306781650.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":98367,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/fda-stands-by-taylor-farms-as-parasite-source-despite-false-test-result\/","url_meta":{"origin":100741,"position":5},"title":"FDA Stands By Taylor Farms as Parasite Source Despite False Test Result","author":"Admin","date":"July 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Federal health officials say they are still pointing to Taylor Farms lettuce as the source of a multistate cyclospora outbreak, even after a flawed test result was briefly posted online over the weekend. The FDA acknowledged a rapid screening test incorrectly flagged a Taylor Farms sample as positive for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784579548435.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784579548435.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784579548435.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784579548435.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}