Cyclosporiasis on the decline and contaminated lettuce no longer on market, health agencies say
By Rick Mayer
August 13, 2026 at 11:20 AM EDT
Florida reported 66 cases of the gastrointestinal illness, down from the previous week's count of 87. That paralleled national numbers as the head of FDA assured Americans it was OK to eat lettuce.
The latest data on cyclosporiasis shows the gastrointestinal illness that was reported in multiple states this summer may be on the decline.
And on Tuesday, the head of the Food and Drug Administration said the contaminated Mexican lettuce blamed for the outbreak has been removed from the nation's food supply.
“We have the safest food supply in the world,” acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas told CNBC. “Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce including leafy greens at this point.”
The latest national data shows only about 2,000 more cases recorded over the past week, whereas the prior week saw more than 22,000, a jump of over 10,000 from the week prior, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And the Florida Department of Health on Thursday reported 66 cases during the week of Aug. 1-8, the most recent period available. That's down from 87 cases the previous week and a high of 97 the week before that.
Since May 1, a benchmark date tied to the first U.S. outbreaks, Florida has 407 cases, up from 342 after the previous period. During that time, Miami-Dade County led the state with 53 (six more in the past week), Broward was unchanged with 34 and Lee reported 33 (two more in the past week).
The illness is caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea "with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces.
According to the CDC, from May 1 through Aug. 5, there were at least 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with 740 hospitalizations in 47 states. The CDC said it was also aware of at least 10,455 additional cases that were not yet laboratory confirmed.
Investigators have determined the contamination was in iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to CDC epidemiologic and traceback data.
"The outbreak includes people who reported exposure to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served or purchased at various locations, including people who previously reported eating at Taco Bell," the CDC said.
On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Fresh Foods' recall notice included Marketside-brand product available at Walmart.
Also, recalled lettuce was distributed and sold in at least 27 states to consumers, restaurants, and retailers, including Taco Bell locations.
https://twitter.com/HHSGov/status/2087308298240541108
Most of the illnesses began before the recall, the CDC said.
"The best-by dates for these recalled products have passed and they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants," the CDC said.
Diamantas told CNBC that the FDA was “confident that all iceberg lettuce related to the cyclospora outbreak has been effectively removed from the market.”
It can take as long as six weeks for officials to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. Undercounts are also possible because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for the parasite.
The illness is rarely fatal, although two people with underlying health conditions died with cyclosporiasis in Michigan last month, the CDC reported. There have been nearly 300 hospitalizations nationally.
(911x1108, AR: 0.822202166064982)
And on Tuesday, the head of the Food and Drug Administration said the contaminated Mexican lettuce blamed for the outbreak has been removed from the nation's food supply.
“We have the safest food supply in the world,” acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas told CNBC. “Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce including leafy greens at this point.”
The latest national data shows only about 2,000 more cases recorded over the past week, whereas the prior week saw more than 22,000, a jump of over 10,000 from the week prior, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And the Florida Department of Health on Thursday reported 66 cases during the week of Aug. 1-8, the most recent period available. That's down from 87 cases the previous week and a high of 97 the week before that.
Since May 1, a benchmark date tied to the first U.S. outbreaks, Florida has 407 cases, up from 342 after the previous period. During that time, Miami-Dade County led the state with 53 (six more in the past week), Broward was unchanged with 34 and Lee reported 33 (two more in the past week).
The illness is caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea "with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces.
According to the CDC, from May 1 through Aug. 5, there were at least 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with 740 hospitalizations in 47 states. The CDC said it was also aware of at least 10,455 additional cases that were not yet laboratory confirmed.
Investigators have determined the contamination was in iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to CDC epidemiologic and traceback data.
"The outbreak includes people who reported exposure to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served or purchased at various locations, including people who previously reported eating at Taco Bell," the CDC said.
On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Fresh Foods' recall notice included Marketside-brand product available at Walmart.
Also, recalled lettuce was distributed and sold in at least 27 states to consumers, restaurants, and retailers, including Taco Bell locations.
https://twitter.com/HHSGov/status/2087308298240541108
Most of the illnesses began before the recall, the CDC said.
"The best-by dates for these recalled products have passed and they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants," the CDC said.
Diamantas told CNBC that the FDA was “confident that all iceberg lettuce related to the cyclospora outbreak has been effectively removed from the market.”
It can take as long as six weeks for officials to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. Undercounts are also possible because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for the parasite.
The illness is rarely fatal, although two people with underlying health conditions died with cyclosporiasis in Michigan last month, the CDC reported. There have been nearly 300 hospitalizations nationally.
(911x1108, AR: 0.822202166064982)