In case heat waves and smoky skies weren’t enough, this July, more than 30 US states are currently experiencing an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea, cramps and fatigue. In the latest news, the CDC announced today that the outbreak has been linked — in part — to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. This contaminated lettuce has been traced to a single supplier, per the FDA.
While identifying a source is an important step (and Taco Bell said yesterday that it has “voluntarily removed[d] potentially affected lettuce” from locations in affected states), this outbreak is still the largest in years — and Taco Bell likely isn’t the only brand involved. While 1,644 cases are currently confirmed and attributed to the Taco Bell outbreak, there are more than 5,000 more nationwide that are unconfirmed, CDC experts said. New York Times. And while only five states were named in the CDC’s latest update, the agency said before that 34 states had reported cases.
With symptoms that can linger for weeks, cyclosporiasis has parents scrambling to learn what foods to avoid, what signs to look for and how to keep their children safe. Here’s what we know about cyclosporiasis and the 2026 outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2026: What you need to know
There are no confirmed deaths from this outbreak, but 141 hospitalizations have been confirmed by the CDC as of July 13. It is worth noting that there are probably more cases than are currently being reported, as some people with the disease are never diagnosed. There is also a lag time between diagnosis and status report numbers.
Michigan reports the highest numbers, with more than 5,000 cases and over 100 hospitalizations. Nationally, this is already the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in US history.
What is Cycling?
Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by the parasite cyclospora, which is spread through contaminated food and water. Previous outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. have been linked to fresh produce, particularly basil, cilantro and raspberries, he says Dr. Jason Korenblit board certified gastroenterologist at the Digestive Health Center in Orlando.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can be severe, including:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
Typically, symptoms begin a week after exposure, Korenblit says, and can continue for weeks if you don’t treat the infection.
What if my child has cyclosporiasis?
If you have little ones (or not so little ones) at home, care during this infestation becomes even more important. When it comes to children, watch closely for signs of dehydration (such as increased thirst, decreased urination, signs of fainting or confusion, blood in the stool, or a high fever) as well as sudden, persistent watery diarrhea, Korenblit says.
If you notice any symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately for examination and treatment. Note that your child may need additional testing for cyclospora, as not all routine stool tests include it. From there, cyclospora is usually treated with a prescription antibiotic, Korenblit says. typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX or Bactrim).
Managing ringworm at home
If you think you, your children, or a loved one may have cyclosporine, seek medical attention right away. It is necessary to take an antibiotic immediately to start recovery.
After receiving medical treatment, rehydration is key when managing cyclosporiasis. This means more than water, says Korenblit. “The most important thing during severe diarrhea is not just drinking fluids, but replacing the right mix of water, salt and sugar,” she explains. Electrolyte drinks like Pediatlyte, CeraLyte, Oralyte, or Naturalyte are the best choice for children who suffer from frequent, watery diarrhea “because they’re designed to replace both fluids and electrolytes,” says Korenblit. (Avoid sports drinks, which are “made more for exercise than illness and often don’t replace losses from diarrhea.”)
As for food, eat simple, easy-to-digest foods that are low in fat until symptoms improve. These include:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
- Crackers
- Soup
- Potatoes
- Eggs
- Chicken
Be sure to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Fatty food
- Spicy food
- Heavy dairy
- Large amounts of fruit juice, soda, and sugar-free candy or gum (sugar alcohols can further irritate the gut)
Protecting your family from Trafficking
The best cure is prevention, and there are drastic steps you can take to keep cyclospora out of your home. These include:
- Wash your hands and produce well. Korenblit says this is the “single most important prevention step.” Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food (make sure your children do too!) and rinse your produce under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. While cyclospora may not always be killed by rinsing, it is always the best first step to take.
- Choose whole produce over pre-cuts and cook produce when you can. “The most dangerous foods right now are raw foods that are handled a lot and not cooked before eating,” says Korenblit. “I would be more careful with pre-cut fruit, salad bags, salad kits, fresh herbs and meal kit ingredients that are eaten raw.” Whole produce involves less third party handling and cooking your produce kills the parasite.
- Use a produce brush for firm fruits and vegetables. Give produce such as melons, cucumbers and potatoes a scrub before preparing to remove dirt and surface contamination. Skip product washes (including soap, detergent or commercial washes) as Korenblit says they are not recommended by the FDA. “Plain running water is still the best everyday method,” he says.
- Find out which products are most at risk. Iceberg lettuce has already been mentioned in this outbreak, and previous ones included berries, cilantro and basil — so if you’re worried, it’s not a bad idea to avoid those for now. Dr. Susan Chengassociate dean for public health at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, notes that fruits that are easy to wash and peel (oranges, honeydew, mangoes) are a better choice than raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, as they have more nooks and crannies. Blueberries and grapes, on the other hand, are also easy to wash. same with cucumber and zucchini, which are easier to clean than broccoli or cauliflower.
- Remove the outer layers of the lettuce. These are the places most likely to harbor infection. After removal, Dr. Cheng recommends cutting lettuce at the stem and soaking it in vinegar (1 cup distilled vinegar to 1 liter water) for five to 10 minutes, before rinsing with water and air drying.
Keep these food safety tips in mind. It could save your gut — and your kids’ guts! — as the outbreak continues.
