Cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to six more states

Health newsCyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to six more statesThe CDC’s planned update marks a significant expansion in the outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleChipotle removes jalapeños over salmonella concerns02:00Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleAug. 5, 2026, 8:59 AM EDTBy Berkeley Lovelace Jr. and Lauren DunnA massive cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to an additional six states, according to a source familiar with the matter. The outbreak, caused by a microscopic parasite found in human feces, is responsible for hundreds of hospitalizations and two deaths since early May. The newly linked states — Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina — join Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the source said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported 1,095 cases as of Sunday — more than double the number of cases it reported last week. The agency’s update marks a significant expansion in the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that often leads to watery, sometimes explosive, diarrhea.The additional states, however, do not necessarily mean the outbreak is continuing to spread, said Dr. Stephen Ostroff, a former acting FDA commissioner. The majority of the cases have been traced to lettuce at Taco Bell that was supplied by Taylor Farms and sourced from central Mexico. Last month, the produce giant issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce supplied from central Mexico, which the company said was distributed to restaurants and retail stores in 27 states. The Food and Drug Administration hasn’t yet identified other potential sources beyond Taylor Farms. The newly linked cases, Ostroff said, may involv...