US says more than 1,400 infected by parasitic Cyclospora illness outbreak

This story was compiled from reports by Reuters and The Associated Press.

Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite, causes the infection cyclosporiasis, which is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Published On 22 Jul 202622 Jul 2026

Over 4,100 individuals across the U.S. have been infected in an outbreak of a parasitic stomach illness.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday that 308 people with confirmed cyclosporiasis infection were admitted to hospitals across 41 states, with no deaths reported so far.

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Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually appear a week after exposure to the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, and include frequent diarrhoea that can last for weeks.

The CDC also cautioned that 7,400 people with suspected infection were under review and the total was likely to rise. Many cases have been linked to lettuce produce.

On July 17, Taylor Farms, a U.S. company, recalled iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and shipped to U.S. stores and restaurants after investigators flagged Mexican facilities as a probable source of the outbreak.

However, Mexican Secretary of Health David Kershenobich disputed the findings, stating on Tuesday that there was no evidence the outbreak began in the central state of Guanajuato, where authorities are investigating.

“So far, no evidence has been found to indicate that it originated there,” he said.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued conflicting information on the source of the outbreak.

On Saturday, the agency said a sample of Mexican lettuce from Taylor Farms had tested positive for the parasite, only to ⁠announce on Sunday that the result was a false positive following a re-review of the data.

The agency then came out on ⁠Monday to say that its supply chain investigation continues to ⁠point to the company’s Mexican facilities as the source of the parasite.

The CDC continues to monitor the outbreak, with many cases linked to lettuce. The discrepancy between U.S. and Mexican authorities over the source highlights the challenges in tracing foodborne illnesses. Consumers are advised to wash produce thoroughly.