Cyclospora Outbreak Ended: 12,883 Illnesses, 570 Hospitalizations and 2 Deaths

CDC declared the multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce over on September 11, 2026. FDA’s latest outbreak update reports 12,883 illnesses across 21 states, 570 hospitalizations and two deaths. The outbreak itself has ended, but FDA’s investigation into the source, root cause and prevention lessons is still continuing.

FDA remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce associated with this outbreak is off the market. Its onsite inspections and sample collection at lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico have ended, while laboratory analysis of samples remains pending.

What is the latest Cyclospora outbreak status?

FDA’s September 11 update lists the outbreak as ended after CDC declared it over.

The 21 states with illnesses associated with this specific outbreak are Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

How did the final reported outbreak count change?

FDA’s September 11 update increased the outbreak total to 12,883 illnesses across 21 states, including Virginia as an additional state. The hospitalization total increased to 570. Two deaths remain associated with the outbreak.

The latest illness onset reported by FDA is August 17, 2026.

Most illnesses associated with the outbreak began before Taylor Farms de Mexico initiated its lettuce recall in July. Public-health reporting can lag behind illness onset because investigators need time to interview patients, complete laboratory work and determine whether cases belong to a specific outbreak.

Is the Cyclospora outbreak over?

Yes. CDC declared the Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg-lettuce outbreak over on September 11, 2026, and FDA now lists the outbreak status as ended.

Why is FDA still investigating if the outbreak ended?

Outbreak closure and completion of a regulatory investigation are different milestones.

FDA says onsite inspections and sample collection at iceberg-lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico have ended. Samples collected during those inspections are pending analysis.

FDA is continuing work to understand the outbreak and its root cause, and says findings will inform future Cyclospora prevention, response and research activities.

What does the FDA Class I recall classification mean?

FDA classified the Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg-lettuce recall as Class I.

A Class I recall is used when there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Is recalled Taylor Farms lettuce still being sold?

FDA says recalled products should no longer be available for sale. The best-if-used-by dates have passed, and FDA remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce associated with this outbreak is off the market.

The practical concern is now mainly an older product that may still be stored in a home or another location, or determining whether a product consumed earlier matched the recalled items.

Is all iceberg lettuce recalled?

No. The recall covered specified iceberg-lettuce products associated with Taylor Farms de Mexico and lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

It did not apply to every head of iceberg lettuce, every packaged salad or every lettuce supplier in the United States.

Consumers should match the exact product name, package size, date or lot information and supplier against the official recall notice.

Which Marketside products were included?

The broader recall also included food-service products with different brands, descriptions, sizes, lots and date information. Use the complete official recall notice when a product cannot be identified from the Marketside examples alone.

What should you do if you still have recalled lettuce?

• Do not eat a product that matches the recall.
• Discard it or follow the retailer’s return instructions.
• Do not taste recalled lettuce to determine whether it is safe.
• Carefully clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that contacted recalled lettuce.
• Wash your hands after handling recalled food.
• Check the complete FDA recall notice if package details are unclear.

Are all US Cyclospora cases part of this lettuce outbreak?

No. The 12,883 figure applies to this specific multistate outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce.

CDC and FDA have tracked other Cyclospora outbreaks and illnesses from different or unidentified sources during the 2026 season. FDA says CDC reported 19,595 laboratory-confirmed US cyclosporiasis cases as of September 8, including more than 12,000 cases from this large lettuce-linked outbreak.

Were deaths reported in the lettuce-linked outbreak?

Yes. Two deaths remain associated with the outbreak in the latest FDA figures.

FDA reported that both deaths were in Michigan and involved people with significant underlying health conditions that may have been adversely affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration.

Was recalled lettuce served at Taco Bell?

The outbreak included people who reported exposure to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico at various locations, including people who reported eating at Taco Bell.

Taco Bell told FDA that it was no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17, 2026.

This does not mean every Taco Bell location was implicated or that every person included in the outbreak ate at Taco Bell.

Where was the recalled lettuce distributed?

FDA lists confirmed US distribution in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

FDA says recalled product may also have reached the District of Columbia, Delaware, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington. Company information also showed recalled product was sold to consumers in Mexico.

What is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. People can become infected through food or water contaminated with the parasite.

FDA says direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely because the parasite generally needs time in the environment before becoming infectious.

What are the symptoms of Cyclospora infection?

The most common symptom is diarrhoea with frequent bowel movements. Other possible symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, body aches, headache and fever.

Symptoms can last for days or weeks and may improve and then return.

When should someone contact a healthcare provider?

FDA advises people with symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider, particularly if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce during the two weeks before becoming sick.

Frequent or prolonged diarrhoea can cause dehydration and may require medical care.

Can washing lettuce remove Cyclospora?

Rinsing produce under clean running water is a general food-safety measure, but FDA says washing may not reliably remove Cyclospora.

Do not wash and eat lettuce that you confirm is part of the recall. Follow the recall instructions instead.

What should consumers check now?

1. Check whether you still possess an older lettuce product.
2. Match the exact product name against the recall notice.
3. Check package size and date or lot information.
4. Check the retailer or food-service source if relevant.
5. Do not eat a matching recalled product.
6. Clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that contacted recalled lettuce.
7. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms of cyclosporiasis develop or persist.

What is confirmed, and what remains unresolved?

Limitations and unresolved facts

• CDC has declared the outbreak over, but FDA’s investigation remains ongoing.
• FDA says analysis of samples collected during onsite inspections is still pending.
• FDA may publish additional root-cause, inspection, sampling or prevention findings.
• The 12,883 figure applies only to this specific lettuce-linked outbreak, not every US Cyclospora case reported during 2026.
• The Class I classification describes the public-health hazard of the existing recall and does not expand its product scope.
• This article provides general public-health information and cannot diagnose an individual illness.

Verification note