The largest recorded Cyclospora outbreak in the United States has ended after more than 12,000 illnesses were linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, closing a months-long food-safety emergency that affected people across multiple states.
About 570 people were hospitalised and two deaths were reported in Michigan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak over on September 11 after cases declined significantly, although federal investigators are still working to determine how the lettuce became contaminated.
Largest US outbreak of explosive diarrhoea parasite is over, officials say https://t.co/QakfxxLuaf
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 12, 2026
Investigation traced illnesses to iceberg lettuce from Mexico
Federal health agencies announced the multistate investigation in July as officials examined a rapidly growing number of Cyclospora infections. Traceback work eventually converged on processed iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and sourced from central Mexico.
Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily removed affected iceberg lettuce from the US market in July. Taco Bell also stopped using implicated lettuce from the supplier after investigators identified illnesses among people who had eaten at some of its restaurants.
The source was not clear during the early stages of the investigation. At that point, some restaurants removed fresh produce as Cyclospora cases increased while health officials worked to identify a common source.
Walmart products were included in the lettuce recall
The action extended beyond restaurant supplies. Certain Marketside iceberg salad and shredded lettuce products sold through Walmart were also included as investigators traced distribution of the affected produce.
The best-by dates for the recalled products have now passed, and federal officials say they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants. The latest CDC announcement therefore does not represent a new warning for consumers to avoid lettuce currently on sale.
Nearly 20,000 national cases were not all tied to the lettuce
The wider US figures require an important distinction. As of September 8, the CDC had reported 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide during the 2026 season.
More than 12,000 of those illnesses were part of the large outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce. Thousands of other cases were associated with separate clusters or were not linked to this particular outbreak.
The national total therefore should not be interpreted as nearly 20,000 illnesses caused by one supplier or one lettuce product. Federal health agencies investigated multiple Cyclospora clusters during the season.
Two deaths were reported in Michigan
Both deaths associated with the outbreak occurred in Michigan. State health officials said the two people had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration.
Deaths from Cyclospora infection are uncommon, but prolonged diarrhoea can cause serious dehydration. The parasite typically causes frequent watery diarrhoea and can also lead to stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Symptoms can continue for weeks and sometimes return after appearing to improve. The hundreds of hospitalisations recorded during the outbreak show the impact a foodborne illness can have when infections occur on a large scale.
Fresh produce can complicate outbreak investigations
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. People can become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.
Fresh produce can be difficult to trace during outbreaks because products may move through growers, processors, distributors, restaurants and retailers before reaching consumers.
Other US public-health investigations have also required authorities to track outbreaks across communities, including the Pennsylvania measles outbreak, where health officials monitored cases and potential exposure risks.
Consumers are not being advised to avoid all lettuce because of the Cyclospora outbreak. The affected products should no longer be in circulation, while normal food-handling precautions remain appropriate.
FDA investigation continues after outbreak ends
Declaring the outbreak over does not close the federal investigation. The FDA is continuing its work on the Taylor Farms de Mexico outbreak while moving toward prevention-focused activities aimed at reducing the risk of similar incidents.
The FDA’s official post-outbreak update says the agency is continuing its investigation and working with public-health, agricultural and industry partners on prevention measures.
For consumers, the immediate risk from the affected lettuce has passed. Investigators are now focused on understanding how contamination entered the supply chain and applying those findings to reduce the chance of another outbreak on this scale.
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