Last updated: July 15, 2026. Figures below are as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state health departments, and are updated as new information is confirmed.
A large, multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora (cyclosporiasis) is spreading across the United States during the summer of 2026. This page is a running tracker of what is known — the case counts, the states affected, the foods under investigation, and what to do if you or a family member became ill. For our latest day-to-day reporting, see the recent coverage below.
2026 Cyclospora outbreak, by the numbers
- 1,645 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cases reported by the CDC across 34 states.
- 141 hospitalizations and 0 deaths reported to date.
- 5,100+ additional illnesses reported to state and local health departments are under review — meaning the true number is likely far higher than the confirmed count. State tallies and independent estimates put the total near 7,000.
- Michigan is the hardest-hit state by a wide margin, with case counts that have climbed steeply through the summer.
Sources: CDC and state health departments, as of July 15, 2026. Confirmed counts lag real illness because Cyclospora requires a specific laboratory test that is not part of a standard stool panel — see what to do if you are sick.
What foods are under investigation?
As of mid-July 2026, no single food source has been officially confirmed, but the investigation has centered on fresh produce — particularly bagged salad and lettuce:
- Bagged salad and leafy greens. Michigan health officials have identified salad and lettuce as the likely source of the state’s cases. Cyclospora has repeatedly been linked to bagged salads and leafy greens in past U.S. outbreaks.
- Taylor Farms produce. Taylor Farms products have been named in connection with the outbreak and are the subject of consumer searches and investigation; the company and regulators are involved in tracing the supply chain. (Investigation ongoing — not an official confirmation of a single source.)
- Taco Bell. Taco Bell pulled fresh produce from restaurants as a precaution amid the outbreak. A definitive link has not been confirmed.
Because Cyclospora is a parasite spread through food or water contaminated with feces — and because washing does not reliably remove it — outbreaks are typically traced to a contaminated produce supply rather than to restaurant handling.
States with reported cases
The CDC reports confirmed cases in 34 states. States with notable reported activity include Michigan (hardest hit), New York, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina, among others. For the authoritative, continuously updated national count, see the CDC’s Cyclospora outbreak page.
Timeline of the 2026 outbreak
- Mid-June 2026 — A new Cyclospora cluster is added to the FDA’s CORE outbreak table, signaling an active federal investigation.
- Late June 2026 — The outbreak grows to at least 145 sick across 17 states.
- Early July 2026 — Michigan’s case count reaches 572 and keeps climbing, making it the epicenter.
- Mid-July 2026 — The CDC updates its confirmed count, which still trails the much larger numbers reported by the states. A closer look at the true scale shows the gap between confirmed and likely cases.
- July 2026 — Michigan names salad and lettuce as the likely source, and Taco Bell pulls fresh produce.
Symptoms & what to do if you think you have Cyclospora
Cyclosporiasis characteristically causes watery diarrhea that comes and goes, often with loss of appetite, significant weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Untreated, symptoms can last weeks to more than a month and may relapse — which is what sets it apart from most short-lived food poisoning.
- See a doctor and ask specifically for a Cyclospora test. Cyclospora is not found on a standard stool test; a lab must run a specific test (a special stain or molecular/PCR panel), and physicians often have to request it by name.
- The standard treatment is an antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, sold as Bactrim or Septra). People with a sulfa allergy have limited alternatives. Follow the guidance of a licensed medical provider — this page is information, not medical advice. See the CDC’s Cyclospora overview.
- Preserve evidence if you may have a claim: keep your positive test result and medical records, receipts, loyalty-app purchase histories, and any leftover food packaging, and write down everywhere you ate in the two weeks before you got sick.
- Report your illness to your local or state health department — it helps investigators find the source.
Were you or a loved one seriously sickened in the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak?
Pritzker Hageman is a national food-safety law firm that represents people seriously sickened — and families of those who died — in foodborne-illness outbreaks. Hundreds of millions recovered. No fee unless we win.
Our latest Cyclospora coverage
- Michigan Suspects Lettuce as Cyclospora Outbreak Source
- Taco Bell Pulls Fresh Produce Amid Giant Cyclospora Outbreak
- How Big Is the Nationwide Cyclospora Outbreak? A Closer Look
- CDC Finally Updates Cyclospora Case Counts, to 843 Sick
- Cyclospora Outbreak in Michigan Sickens 572 Patients
Frequently asked questions
Does washing or freezing kill Cyclospora?
No. Rinsing produce does not reliably remove the Cyclospora parasite, and freezing does not kill it. That is why outbreaks are traced to a contaminated supply rather than to home handling.
Is Cyclospora contagious from person to person?
No. Cyclospora is not spread directly from one person to another. After it is passed in stool it needs days to weeks in the environment to become infectious, so it spreads through contaminated food or water, not casual contact.
How long do I have to take legal action?
Deadlines (statutes of limitation) vary by state and by the facts of your case, so it is best not to wait. A food-safety attorney can review your situation for free and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth pursuing.