Mississippi confirms five cyclosporiasis cases as recalled lettuce reaches state

Mississippi health officials have confirmed five cases of cyclosporiasis, while the Food and Drug Administration says recalled iceberg lettuce was distributed to Mississippi food-service customers and select Walmart stores.

The Mississippi State Department of Health said July 17, 2026, that the five cases were identified in Public Health Districts 3, 5, 8 and 9, covering the Delta, central Mississippi, southern Mississippi and coastal counties. None of the cases had been linked to the federal multistate outbreak under investigation at the time of the announcement.

The presence of recalled lettuce in Mississippi does not establish that any Mississippi resident became sick from that product. The FDA investigation remained ongoing in its July 24 update.

What Mississippi officials announced

MSDH said the five reported cases were spread across four of the state’s nine public-health regions. Officials said they had not identified commonalities among the Mississippi cases and would continue monitoring the situation with federal health agencies.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms commonly include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramps or bloating, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure but can appear two to 14 days later.

Without treatment, symptoms may improve and return and can last for weeks or longer. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face greater risk of severe or prolonged illness.

New reporting rule for Mississippi providers

On July 15, MSDH temporarily designated cyclosporiasis a Class 1B reportable disease through July 2027. Health care providers and laboratories must report suspected or confirmed cases to MSDH by telephone within one business day after first knowledge or suspicion.

The reporting requirement is a public-health surveillance measure. It does not mean the state has determined that Mississippi cases are part of the federal lettuce outbreak, and it is not evidence that the designation itself caused case numbers to rise.

Diagnosis requires laboratory testing of a stool specimen. MSDH says routine stool examinations may not detect Cyclospora, so providers should specifically request testing when cyclosporiasis is suspected.

Recalled lettuce reached Mississippi

The FDA says Taylor Fresh Foods distributed recalled iceberg lettuce products to food-service customers in Mississippi from June 29 through July 16. Recalled Marketside products were also sold at select Walmart stores in Mississippi.

The retail recall includes Marketside Iceberg Salad in 12-ounce and 24-ounce packages with best-if-used-by dates from July 18 through Aug. 3, 2026. It also includes Marketside Shredded Lettuce in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages with best-if-used-by dates from July 18 through Aug. 3, 2026.

The FDA’s complete recall notice contains the full food-service product list, including additional product information, lot codes and dates. Residents should use that list rather than relying only on a product name or date.

Consumers who find recalled lettuce should not eat it. The FDA advises discarding it, requesting a refund from the place of purchase and cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces or containers it touched.

What the federal investigation shows

As of the FDA’s July 24 update, the specific Taco Bell-exposure outbreak included confirmed illnesses in nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mississippi was not listed among those states with confirmed cases in that outbreak.

The FDA reported 1,947 illnesses and at least 98 hospitalizations in that nine-state outbreak as of July 24, with no deaths reported. Those figures are separate from Mississippi’s five state-confirmed cases and from broader national surveillance totals. FDA also notes that the federal outbreak count and state counts may differ because of differences in case definitions and reporting timing.

FDA said the investigation was ongoing and that additional products, restaurants, retailers or distribution channels could be identified. Product distribution to Mississippi shows that recalled lettuce reached the state; it does not prove that the state’s five cases were caused by that lettuce.

When residents should seek care

Residents should contact a health care provider for diarrhea lasting more than a few days, severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting, high fever or other concerning symptoms. People with persistent diarrhea or a possible exposure should ask whether Cyclospora-specific stool testing is appropriate.

Residents should follow medical advice for evaluation and treatment rather than attempting to diagnose the illness from symptoms alone. Some people recover without treatment, but symptoms can relapse and last for weeks or longer.

MSDH advises washing produce under running water, while noting that washing reduces risk but does not guarantee that Cyclospora has been removed. Thorough cooking kills the parasite.

The key questions remain unresolved: whether any Mississippi case is connected to the recalled lettuce and whether the federal investigation will identify additional cases or distribution channels.

Sources

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