US announces end of largest cyclosporiasis outbreak

US health authorities announced on Friday that the largest recorded outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis, which affected multiple states across the country, has ended after thousands of people fell ill from consuming a type of contaminated lettuce.

According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak resulted in 12,883 infections across 21 states, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths.

The CDC stated that the contaminated iceberg lettuce, identified as “Capucine,” which federal investigators linked to products from Taylor Farms, is no longer available in stores or served in restaurants, and that cases associated with the outbreak have declined significantly in recent weeks.

On Friday, the CDC noted that there is currently no risk of cyclosporiasis infection from consuming lettuce. It also confirmed that all products linked to the outbreak have passed their expiration dates and have been removed from stores and restaurants.

CDC data indicate that the lettuce-associated outbreak accounted for more than half of the 19,595 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases reported in the United States since May 1, making 2026 the worst year on record for infections with this disease.

Federal and state health officials reported that Michigan, the hardest-hit state, recorded more than 14,000 infections and two deaths linked to the parasite causing the illness. Ohio and Missouri also reported thousands of cases associated with contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms.