Record U.S. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Is Over, CDC Says

U.S. health officials have declared the country's largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak over after thousands of people across multiple states became sick from an intestinal parasite linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce.

The outbreak sickened more than 12,800 people across 21 states, resulting in about 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, according to the latest reporting. The CDC said the number of newly reported infections dropped significantly in August, allowing officials to move the outbreak investigation toward closure.

Contaminated Lettuce Linked to the Outbreak

Investigators traced the major multistate outbreak to iceberg lettuce processed by Taylor Farms in Mexico.

The lettuce was used in food products served at restaurants, including Taco Bell locations, and became the focus of a major recall. By early September, the CDC said the recalled products' best-by dates had passed and the affected lettuce should no longer be available in restaurants or stores.

Federal and state health officials used epidemiological information, food histories and traceback investigations to connect illnesses to the contaminated produce.

Thousands Became Sick Across the Country

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People typically become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.

Symptoms can include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite. Some infections can last for weeks or return after appearing to improve.

The scale of this year's outbreak was particularly striking. Before 2026, the largest recorded U.S. cyclosporiasis season was in 2019, when about 4,700 cases were reported. The 2026 outbreak therefore represented a dramatic increase in reported illnesses.

Michigan Was Hit Especially Hard

Michigan emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas during the outbreak.

Health officials there reported thousands of infections, with local public health departments forced to devote substantial resources to testing, investigation and contacting affected residents. The outbreak placed additional strain on already stretched public health teams.

The response also exposed broader concerns about the country's ability to rapidly identify and contain foodborne illness outbreaks. Investigators faced challenges because people can develop symptoms days or weeks after exposure, while many infected individuals may not seek medical care or undergo testing.

Food Safety System Faces Scrutiny

Although officials have declared the major outbreak over, the episode has triggered renewed questions about food safety oversight, particularly for imported produce.

The FDA, CDC and state authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the contaminated lettuce. Taylor Farms temporarily shut its central Mexico processing facility while investigations and testing continued.

The outbreak also highlighted concerns over resources available to public health agencies. Health departments in heavily affected states had to shift personnel away from routine activities to deal with the surge in illnesses.

Outbreak Is Over, but Monitoring Continues

The CDC's declaration does not mean that all cyclosporiasis infections in the United States have disappeared.

Officials continue to monitor cases occurring from other sources and have stressed that illnesses unrelated to the lettuce outbreak can still occur. The CDC has reduced the frequency of updates for the specific multistate investigation because new cases linked to the outbreak have fallen significantly.

The agency's broader surveillance system also continues tracking cyclosporiasis cases nationwide, although those figures are provisional and can change as states update their records.

A Warning for the Produce Industry

The outbreak is likely to leave a lasting impact on consumers, restaurants and the fresh-produce supply chain.

The incident caused major disruption for businesses that depend on lettuce and other fresh ingredients, while also raising concerns about how quickly contaminated produce can be identified and removed from the market.

For health officials, the end of the outbreak brings relief, but the lessons from 2026 remain important. Better testing, faster traceback investigations and stronger oversight of food production and supply chains could help reduce the risk of another large-scale outbreak.

The immediate crisis may be over, but the record number of illnesses has put food safety, imported produce and public-health preparedness firmly back in the spotlight.

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