Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Taco Bell Lettuce Surpasses 6700 Cases

A Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants has sickened 1,947 people across nine states, making it a major driver of a record surge in domestic Cyclospora cases in 2026.

The CDC confirmed 6,707 laboratory-confirmed domestic Cyclospora cases as of late July 2026, with 423 hospitalizations and no deaths reported nationally. That total is far above the 249 cases reported by the same point in 2025.

The Taco Bell-linked outbreak affected Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. At least 98 hospitalizations were associated with this specific cluster. Two deaths in Michigan among individuals with underlying health conditions were under investigation as part of the outbreak.

Traceback investigations identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the source of the contaminated iceberg lettuce. The company issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico on July 17, 2026, affecting retail and food service distributors.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes prolonged, watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure. The CDC notes that standard parasite tests often miss Cyclospora; clinicians are advised to specifically request molecular PCR-based testing or modified acid-fast staining.

The recommended treatment is a seven to 10 day course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Consumers are advised to wash fresh produce thoroughly, though chemical disinfection may not fully eliminate the parasite.

The CDC notes a reporting lag of up to six weeks between illness onset and case confirmation, meaning the true number of infections is likely higher than confirmed counts.