The outbreak of the intestinal illness has been linked to iceberg lettuce from some operations in central Mexico, but authorities are still seeking other potential sources.
Lettuce is displayed for sale at a grocery store in Washington, DC, US on Jul 24, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Nathan Howard)
04 Aug 2026 07:06AM
(Updated: 04 Aug 2026 07:13AM)
A cyclosporiasis outbreak that has grown into the largest on record in the United States has caused its first known deaths, two people in Michigan, the state's health department said on Monday (Aug 3).Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, is generally not life-threatening. Michigan, citing medical records, said the two who died had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by the disease and related dehydration.An FDA investigation linked the outbreak, now in nine states, to iceberg lettuce sourced from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico and served at Yum Brands-owned Taco Bell. The lettuce has been recalled, but authorities are still seeking other potential sources.Epidemiologists suspect multiple outbreaks, and it was not immediately clear whether the people who died were sickened from Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, or from another yet to be identified source.
