Cyclosporiasis Background
Cyclosporiasis is an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite called Cyclospora (SIGH-clo-SPORE-uh). Cyclosporiasis is not spread directly from person-to-person. Infected people pass Cyclospora in their feces (stool), but this form of the parasite cannot make people sick. The parasite needs time (days to weeks) in the environment to change into a form that can make people sick. This form of the parasite then can infect someone by entering the body through the mouth, typically by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with Cyclospora. Past outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the United States have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, lettuce, and snow peas. The produce involved in each outbreak was probably contaminated in the country where it was grown.
2026 Cyclosporiasis Investigation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health officials in several states are working together to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce in 15 states. On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced that they are voluntarily recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. Recalled lettuce was distributed and sold in multiple states to consumers, restaurants, and retailers, including in Virginia.
Recalled products include Marketside-brand products available at Walmart described as “Iceberg Salad 12-oz or 24-oz" and “Shredded Lettuce 8-oz or 16-oz" with Best if Used By dates of July 18 to August 3, 2026. The recall from Walmart stores is located in several states, including Virginia.
Other recalled products were distributed to food service customers, and a complete list of those products is included in the recall notice.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is closely monitoring and investigating reported cyclosporiasis cases. Some Virginia cyclosporiasis cases have reported travel to and exposures in states impacted by the large multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. CDC and FDA anticipate that the number of confirmed cases associated with this outbreak will rise, despite the recall, due to the fact that it can take several weeks for CDC and state health officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak. The number of cyclosporiasis cases reported to VDH typically increases in the spring and summer months. Reported case counts are routinely posted on VDH’s Monthly Morbidity Report and Annual Reportable Disease Surveillance Report. Due to the heightened interest in cyclosporiasis this summer, VDH is also sharing weekly updates to reported case counts in the table below.
2026 VA Cyclosporiasis Case Counts
| Cases Domestically Acquired | Cases Internationally Acquired | Unknown/Pending | Total (Change since previous week) | |
| Case Count | 89 (+23) | 36 (+5) | 37 (+8) | 162 (+36) |
About the Data
This data table summarizes cyclosporiasis cases reported to the Virginia Department of Health during 2026 as of 07/30/2026. This page will be updated on a weekly basis on Mondays by 10 am and will include data through the previous Thursday. Data are preliminary and subject to change.
The cumulative numbers shown in the table above will not match the number displayed in monthly surveillance reports. The VDH Monthly Morbidity Surveillance Reports Dashboard is updated once a month, whereas this table will be updated once a week. Additionally, please note that it is expected that case counts on the VDH webpage may not match data reported on the CDC webpage due to known lags in case reports, investigations, and differences in data workflows.
Virginia is experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases which is expected during the summer months. The Division of Surveillance and Investigation compiles case reports for cyclosporiasis from laboratories, medical providers, and local health departments in Virginia. These data are entered into the Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System (VEDSS) and sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Disease surveillance data enable public health agencies to act quickly to prevent the spread of disease, identify and respond to outbreaks, and provide an overall snapshot of disease trends at the local, state, and national levels.
What VDH does:
- Local health districts interview ill people and gather data on when they became sick, their travel history, and foods consumed.
- This epidemiologic information is then reviewed for any commonalities among cases, which is how we are able to detect food items that are potential exposure risks and potential outbreaks.
- Coordinate with state and federal partners on epidemiologic investigations.
- Share information with the general public when health risks are identified.
To prevent cyclosporiasis:
- Do not eat any recalled lettuce. If purchased from a retail store (e.g., grocery store), throw it away or return it to where you bought it. At restaurants, if you do not know the source of the lettuce, ask the restaurant staff.
- Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled lettuce using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
- Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico or distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods should discard it immediately and not consume it.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Wash hands carefully with soap and water before and after food preparation, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Travelers, especially to tropical areas, should avoid eating raw or undercooked foods or drinking untreated water.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis should visit their healthcare provider. They can test for Cyclospora and prescribe the correct treatment. Physicians should report cases to their local health department. If you have been ill recently with diarrhea or vomiting or other gastrointestinal illness and believe it might be related to a restaurant or other food establishment, you can report your illness to My Meal Detective.
General Information
VDH Fact Sheet on Cyclosporiasis
Reporting and Surveillance
Virginia Reportable Disease List
VDH Reportable Disease Surveillance Data
CDC Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Surveillance Page
Cyclospora 2026 Summer Outbreak
Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Iceberg Lettuce in 15 States | Cyclosporiasis | CDC
Recall Information
FDA Recall Alert: Taylor Fresh Foods Recalls Iceberg Lettuce from Central Mexico