PHOTO: FRED RAMOS/NYTIMES
US CDC expands largest known cyclospora outbreak to 15 states: Report
· The Straits Times- The US CDC has expanded the cyclospora outbreak to 15 states, linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms served at Taco Bell.
- Missouri added with 1,095 cases; Michigan hardest-hit with 11,508 cases and two deaths from underlying conditions.
- CDC reports 6,707 lab-confirmed and over 11,500 suspected cases, making this one of the largest recent US foodborne illness outbreaks.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expanding the ongoing cyclospora outbreak to 15 states, adding six more states to the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, the Washington Post reported on Aug 4, citing three individuals familiar with the investigation.
A Food and Drug Administration investigation linked the outbreak, previously spanning nine states, to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and sourced from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico.
But the authorities are still looking for other potential sources.
Missouri, which has reported 1,095 cases, is one of the states being added, the Post reported, citing a spokesperson for the state health department.
Patients interviewed by state and local investigators said they had eaten at Taco Bell before falling ill, the report added, citing a spokesperson.
Information was not immediately available about the five other states, the report said, adding that the individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.
US cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to record levels in 2026, with the current outbreak among the largest caused by foodborne illness in recent US history. The infection can cause diarrhoea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Michigan, the hardest-hit state, reported 11,508 cases on Aug 4, up by more than 200 from the Aug 3 update.
The state also reported the first two deaths associated with the outbreak, noting that both individuals had significant underlying health conditions.
The CDC, whose surveillance lags state reporting by several weeks, has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide as at July 28, along with more than 11,500 suspected cases not yet confirmed through laboratory testing. REUTERS