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3w ago

Nearly 7,000 Sickened in Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak

Testing backlogs and limited molecular tools have so far prevented investigators from confirming a supplier or issuing a recall.

Health officials say a Cyclospora outbreak that causes "explosive" diarrhea is linked to Taco Bell locations across five states, including Kentucky. This photomicrograph of a fresh stool sample, which had been prepared using a 10% formalin solution, and stained with modified acid-fast stain, revealed the presence of four Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in the field of view. Compared to wet mount preparations, the oocysts are less perfectly round and have a wrinkled appearance due to this method of fixation. Most importantly, the staining is variable among the four oocysts. (Photo credit: CDC)
A Taco Bell fast food restaurant is shown Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Taylor, Mich.
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Overview

  • Federal and state counts place roughly 7,000 confirmed or probable cases across more than 34 states, with the CDC reporting 1,645 lab‑confirmed infections and about 5,100 additional reports under review.
  • Michigan has the largest, rapidly growing cluster and state investigators repeatedly flagged lettuce and other salad greens as a leading hypothesis based on thousands of patient interviews.
  • Health agencies have linked about 400 cases across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia to a single cluster and are examining restaurant supply chains, including shredded iceberg used at some Taco Bell locations and produce from Taylor Farms, but no grower or product has been confirmed.
  • Traceback is hindered because Cyclospora takes days to become infectious, routine stool tests often miss it, and genotyping for the parasite is less mature, which, together with lab staffing and reporting delays, slows definitive source ID.
  • Officials say treatment is trimethoprim‑sulfamethoxazole for confirmed cases, cooking produce to about 158°F (70°C) reliably kills the parasite, and consumers should prefer whole heads of lettuce, discard outer leaves, wash under running water, and see a clinician for persistent watery diarrhea.