CDC Confirms 4,173 U.S. Cyclospora Cases in 2026, a Record Linked to Taylor Farms Lettuce
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
CDC Confirms 4,173 U.S. Cyclospora Cases in 2026, a Record Linked to Taylor Farms Lettuce
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Summary
4,173 domestic cyclospora cases have been confirmed since May 1 across 41 states, after the CDC added more than 2,500 cases and declared 2026 the worst U.S. year on record.
308 people have been hospitalized and no deaths reported; the CDC also logged 767 travel-related infections and is investigating more than 7,400 additional unconfirmed cases.
At least 1,644 illnesses in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky were tied to shredded iceberg lettuce sold by Taylor Farms and grown in central Mexico, though officials suspect multiple sources.
The 2026 tally has already surpassed the previous annual record of 4,703 total confirmed cases in 2019, while state health department counts collected by the New York Times top 11,000, suggesting substantial undercounting.