Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce expands to 9 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce to nine states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma, according to federal health officials. The outbreak, traced to Taylor Farms de Mexico, now involves 1,947 confirmed cases tied to individuals who reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants, with at least 98 hospitalizations but no deaths. The affected states include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and the four newly added states, bringing the total to nine.

Cyclospora outbreak expands to 9 states, linked to Taylor Farms lettuce

The CDC confirmed the addition of four states—Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania—to the outbreak, which initially involved Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The agency described the outbreak as the largest known in the U.S., with illnesses beginning on June 22 and continuing through July 20. Health officials have traced the contaminated lettuce to Taylor Farms, which voluntarily recalled shredded iceberg lettuce processed in central Mexico. The recall covers 27 states, though the CDC has not yet linked all cases to the company.

State health departments have reported over 12,000 cyclosporiasis cases this summer, with the majority in Michigan. However, not all cases are connected to the outbreak, as some patients cannot recall eating lettuce. The CDC emphasized that the 1,947 cases linked to Taco Bell represent a subset of the broader surge in infections, which has already exceeded annual totals from 2023 and 2024. Federal investigators are also examining a separate outbreak affecting 72 people, though the source remains unidentified.

Timeline of the outbreak and official responses

The outbreak was first reported in mid-June, with cases linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell. The CDC expanded its investigation in late July after additional states reported infections. The agency’s latest update, released on July 24, included the four new states, following earlier reports by The Washington Post. Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has focused on Taylor Farms as the primary supplier, though it continues to trace other potential sources.

Mexican health officials conducted inspections of Taylor Farms’ facility in Guanajuato from July 18 to 20, collecting 10 lettuce samples and four water samples. Results released on July 24 found no detectable cyclospora in the samples, though the investigation remains ongoing. The FDA and CDC have not yet determined the exact cause of contamination, but they have pointed to irrigation or washing practices as potential factors.

Diverging reports and unresolved questions

While the CDC and multiple news outlets confirm the outbreak spans nine states, some reports highlight discrepancies in the scope. For example, CBS News noted the addition of four states, while msn.com and other outlets referenced the expansion to nine. The pressdemocrat.com reported that the CDC’s nationwide tally of confirmed cases had more than doubled, with over 4,100 laboratory-confirmed infections and 7,400 additional suspected cases across 41 states. However, the agency has not yet linked all these cases to the Taylor Farms lettuce.

Michigan health officials have raised concerns that some cases may stem from alternative sources, as not all patients recalled consuming lettuce. The CDC has also acknowledged that the total number of infections is likely higher than reported, as many cases go unrecorded. Meanwhile, the FDA continues to investigate whether other brands, restaurants, or distribution channels could be involved in the outbreak.

What’s next for the investigation and public health

The outbreak has reignited debates about food safety regulations and the role of international supply chains in public health crises. With the U.S. Summer season still underway, officials warn that further cases could emerge as more data becomes available. The CDC and FDA have not yet provided a timeline for concluding the investigation, but they have pledged to update the public as new information arises.