While experts say all the lettuce linked to the nationwide outbreaks of the stomach-churning infection cyclosporiasis has been removed from grocery shelves and Taco Bells, and any purchased by consumers has long since gone bad and likely been thrown away, the number of cases continues to rise as reports continue to come in.
On Aug. 13, the Florida Department of Health reported 407 cases between May 1 and Aug. 8, a 19% jump from the week before. The most new cases were reported in Bay, Palm Beach, and Polk counties, each adding eight more, and Marion and Miami-Dade counties both added six.
Cyclosporiasis, which can cause watery, “explosive” diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues that can last for weeks, has now been reported in 43 of Florida’s 67 counties, with a new case added in Citrus County.
Health officials have not linked Florida cases to a specific outbreak. The foodborne infection is not unusual in the Sunshine State, where a warm climate provides year-round access to fresh produce. Florida often sees a seasonal rise in cyclosporiasis during late spring and summer, with an average of 246 cases of cyclosporiasis every year from 2015 through 2025. Cases surged to over 500 in both 2019 and 2022.
In an Aug. 11 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 13,895 confirmed cases in 47 states, up from 10,468 the week before. Cases have now been reported in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In comparison, just 1,180 cases were reported in the United States between May 1 and August 31, 2025, the CDC said, adding that at least 10,455 additional cases this year have not yet been confirmed by laboratories.
Two deaths have been reported in Michigan, one of the hardest-hit states.
The largest outbreak of the parasitic infection linked to iceberg lettuce distributed to restaurants and sold in packaged salad products by California-based Taylor Farms has led to staggering numbers of cases in nine states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating smaller outbreaks around the country.
Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida
Florida continues to see a surge in reported cyclosporiasis cases, with state health officials reporting 407 probable and confirmed cases between May 1 and Aug. 1, out of a total of 417 reported cases this year.
Cases by county since May 1, with last week’s increase:
Cyclosporiasis by the numbers
CDC numbers are reported weekly and include only cases that are laboratory-confirmed, acquired domestically, and occurred since May 1. CDC numbers tend to experience a six-week lag, according to the agency.
Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed reports of:
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may vary, according to the CDC, but the most common sign is persistent, watery diarrhea.
Others include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Others may show no symptoms at all.
Symptoms can begin to show from two days to two weeks or more after infection, the CDC said. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
If symptoms persist, contact your health care provider.
How to avoid cyclosporiasis
The single best way to avoid the illness is not to eat food connected with an outbreak, the CDC said. Buy your produce from local growers, or grow it yourself.
Fightbac.org offers more tips on avoiding foodborne illnesses:
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida cyclosporiasis cases top 400 in latest update
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, Daytona Beach News-Journal / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By C. A. Bridges, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
