{
  "id": 149741,
  "title": "CDC expands largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/cdc-expands-largest-known-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-to-15-states-report",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-04T23:22:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-904602"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce to 15 states, according to a report by the Washington Post on Tuesday. The total number of states affected has risen from nine, with Missouri, the hardest-hit state, now reporting 1,095 cases, bringing its total to more than 200 cases on Tuesday alone. The CDC, whose surveillance lags behind state reporting by several weeks, has recorded a total of 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, along with over 11,500 suspected cases that have not yet been confirmed through laboratory testing. An FDA investigation traced the outbreak to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants sourced from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico. However, authorities continue to investigate other potential sources. While information was not immediately available on the five other states added to the outbreak, individuals familiar with the investigation spoke anonymously to discuss the ongoing case. Patients interviewed by state and local investigators reported consuming Taco Bell before falling ill. The infection can cause diarrhea, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to two deaths in Michigan, both of which had significant underlying health conditions.",
  "summary": "US cyclosporiasis cases have reached record levels this year, with the current epidemic among the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in recent US history.",
  "key_points": [
    "CDC expands cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states from nine",
    "Missouri reports 1,095 cases, over 200 on Tuesday alone",
    "FDA links outbreak to Taco Bell's Mexican iceberg lettuce"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The CDC's expansion of the cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states solidifies the scale of the foodborne illness crisis tied to iceberg lettuce, particularly impacting Missouri and other hard-hit areas.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/149741.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Health",
        "title": "CDC reportedly expands scope of US cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/cdc-reportedly-expands-scope-of-us-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-to-15",
        "published": "2026-08-05T01:29:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "CDC expands largest known cyclospora outbreak to 15 states, Washington Post reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/cdc-expands-largest-known-cyclospora-outbreak-to-15-states-washington",
        "published": "2026-08-05T04:16:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}