Confirmed diarrhea parasite cases now in 48 states. See map

Key Points:

• Confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the U.S. have exceeded 17,000 across 48 states and Washington, DC, with Michigan and Ohio hardest hit; the CDC reports two deaths and 922 hospitalizations since May 1.
• The largest outbreak, linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, accounts for over 10,900 cases and 454 hospitalizations across 17 states, traced initially through Taco Bell customers.
• Cyclosporiasis causes gastrointestinal symptoms like explosive diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue, and is contracted via contaminated food or water; it is difficult to track due to a long incubation period and lack of genetic tools for the parasite.
• Taylor Farms faces scrutiny amid allegations of attempting to obstruct the FDA investigation and misleading the public, with political donations to Republican PACs cited; the company denies wrongdoing and has suspended lettuce sourcing from central Mexico.
• The FDA continues to investigate multiple other cyclospora clusters with unidentified sources, while the CDC’s case counts lag behind state reports due to verification and reporting delays.