Ohio Cyclospora Cases Top 2,600 as CDC Joins FDA Lettuce Investigation

Ohio has reported more than 2,600 cyclosporiasis cases as the state joins a nine-state federal investigation into illnesses associated epidemiologically with shredded iceberg lettuce. The Ohio Department of Health has requested help from CDC disease investigators with patient interviews and case-data management.

For Ohio residents, the immediate public-health advice is to avoid recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce, discard affected products, clean and sanitize surfaces or containers they touched, and contact a health care provider about persistent or recurring symptoms.

FDA investigation now covers nine states

In a July 24 update, the Food and Drug Administration said the investigation includes Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Federal officials reported 1,947 confirmed illnesses, at least 98 hospitalizations and no deaths as of July 24. Illnesses began between June 22 and July 20, although officials expect the confirmed count to continue rising because it can take as long as six weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of the outbreak.

The illnesses under investigation include people who reported eating at Taco Bell. FDA traceback work and epidemiological information have converged on shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico from growers in central Mexico.

That evidence prompted a voluntary recall, but FDA said the investigation remains ongoing. As of July 24, no product sample had conclusively tested positive for Cyclospora. A previously reported positive sample collected at the border was later determined to be a false positive, according to FDA.

Why Ohio’s number is higher than the federal total

Spectrum News reported more than 2,600 cyclosporiasis cases in Ohio on July 24, roughly twice the number reported the previous week. That figure should not be added to or compared directly with FDA’s 1,947 confirmed outbreak illnesses.

FDA says state data may include probable and confirmed cases, along with initial reports that have not yet been sent to federal officials. The FDA and CDC outbreak figure counts confirmed illnesses reported by the nine states among people who reported Taco Bell exposure. The totals also reflect different definitions and reporting timelines.

The Ohio Department of Health requested CDC assistance with patient interviews and data management. Investigators will compare what patients ate and where they went with laboratory and food-traceback evidence before confirming the source of the outbreak.

Recalled lettuce reached Ohio food-service customers

The FDA-posted Taylor Fresh Foods recall says recalled shredded iceberg lettuce was distributed to food-service customers in Ohio from June 29 through July 16, 2026. The recall covers multiple food-service products and date ranges, including shredded, chopped and salad-mix lettuce sold under several brand or customer codes.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers that purchased or received recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce should not eat it. They should discard it, clean and sanitize surfaces or containers the product touched, and seek a refund from the place of purchase. The recall notice contains the affected product descriptions, lot information and use-by dates.

FDA’s listed retail-store states for recalled Marketside products do not include Ohio. Ohio residents should not assume those Walmart retail products were sold in the state based only on the broader recall. They should check the specific product, distribution channel, date and lot information in the recall notice.

Residents should not rely on smell or appearance to decide whether recalled lettuce is safe. Recalled food should be discarded according to the instructions even if it looks or smells normal.

Symptoms and when to seek care

Cyclospora commonly causes persistent or frequent diarrhea. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache and fever may also occur, and some infected people have no symptoms.

Untreated illness can cause dehydration and severe complications. Those complications may last from several days to a month or longer, and symptoms can appear to improve before returning in one or more relapses. People with prolonged or recurring diarrhea, signs of dehydration or related symptoms should contact a health care provider, particularly if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before becoming sick.

What happens next

CDC investigators are expected to assist Ohio with interviews and data management while federal, state and local officials continue case review, traceback work and product testing.

Officials may identify additional cases, restaurants, retailers or distribution channels as the investigation continues. Current evidence points investigators toward recalled shredded iceberg lettuce, but it has not established that every Taco Bell location or every iceberg lettuce product is affected.

Sources

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