The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert warning Americans to avoid eating salads as a parasitic stomach illness, Cyclosporiasis, continues to spread across the United States. The outbreak, which has now been reported in 34 states, is feared to have infected nearly 7,000 people, with 1,645 confirmed cases and an additional 5,100 under investigation.
Outbreak Details and Symptoms
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. The main symptom is watery and often explosive diarrhea that can persist for months if left untreated, according to the CDC. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
As of July 14, 2026, 141 people have been hospitalized since May, with no deaths reported. Michigan has been particularly hard hit, reporting 3,309 cases as of July 14, including 44 hospitalizations as of July 9.
Investigation and Potential Sources
The CDC, along with state and federal partners, is actively investigating several outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. Although the specific type of produce or supplier has not yet been identified, lettuce and salad greens are considered potential sources. The CDC stated: "Investigations to identify and confirm the sources of the outbreaks are ongoing."
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an investigation last week. The parasite spreads from human feces to produce like lettuce through contaminated water or unsafe food handling practices.
Regional Clusters and Industry Response
The CDC suspects that at least 400 of the cases across four states — Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia — are connected. Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, noted: "We know that contamination usually occurs where the produce was grown or processed, and because distributors supply the same produce to multiple types of establishments, it’s unlikely for there to be one single place as the exposure for all of our cases."
Due to the widespread nature of the outbreak, it is unlikely that a single grocer is responsible. No recalls have been issued yet, but Americans are advised to avoid eating lettuce or green salads until the source is identified.
Restaurants Take Precautionary Measures
Some restaurants have already taken action. On Tuesday, Taco Bell Corp announced that it had "voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure." The company emphasized that there is no confirmation linking the disease to its restaurants.
Health officials continue to urge caution and are working to identify the contaminated produce to prevent further infections.
