A Cyclospora outbreak has swollen to nearly 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases across 34 states, with the CDC reporting 1,645 lab-confirmed infections and a backlog of more than 5,100 cases under investigation as of 14 July, after the parasite sickened hundreds in 31 states in earlier reports.
Michigan remains the epicentre with 3,309 cases, while Ohio has logged more than 1,100 infections. CDC deputy director Gwen Biggerstaff said the true number of infections is likely higher. Case counts since 1 May are six times the level seen during the same period in 2025, when only 249 cases had been recorded nationally by mid-July.
Taco Bell is under investigation and has removed lettuce, cilantro, onion, guacamole and pico de gallo at several locations. Approximately one in 11 patients has required hospitalisation, with no deaths reported.