FDA Expands Cyclospora Investigation to 15 States as Cases Surpass 6,000

The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that its Cyclospora investigation has expanded to 15 states, bringing the total confirmed case count to 6,358. Six additional states—Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina—were included in the latest update, extending the outbreak’s geographic reach significantly since the previous announcement on July 24.

The intestinal parasite outbreak was first identified in July after consumers developed severe diarrhea following consumption of shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell locations. Investigators subsequently determined that Taylor Farms de Mexico supplied the contaminated lettuce to the fast food chain. The outbreak’s origins trace back to June 22, though Taylor Farms de Mexico did not voluntarily recall all lettuce sourced from central Mexico until July 17.

The parasitic infection has resulted in 278 hospitalizations and two confirmed deaths in Michigan, according to FDA data. Officials cautioned that confirmed case numbers will likely continue rising for weeks due to the extended incubation period, which can take up to six weeks for health authorities to definitively link cases to the outbreak.

The FDA has also identified Marketside-branded lettuce products sold in 27 states during early July as contaminated. Authorities urged consumers and retailers to discard affected items and sanitize any surfaces that contacted the lettuce, while recommending that individuals experiencing symptoms after eating the product consult a physician immediately.