Since May 1, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US has recorded 1645 confirmed cases and a further 5100 are under investigation.<\/p>\n
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By continuing you agree to our Terms<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n An additional 440 cases were contracted outside of the US.<\/p>\n The state of Michigan has been the hardest hit by the outbreak, with hundreds of cases reported each day.<\/p>\n Based on interviews with more than 1000 patients, investigators believe lettuce could be the culprit.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,\u201d Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan\u2019s chief medical executive, said in a statement published by the Washington Post.<\/p>\n \u201cEarly information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n While some of those had eaten at Taco Bell before getting sick, not all had.<\/p>\n As of July 13, 141 people had been hospitalised with the parasite and cases had been reported across 34 states.<\/p>\n Investigators believe the actual number of cases could be much higher.<\/p>\n \u201cWe assume a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC; therefore, we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received,\u201d a spokesperson said on their website.<\/p>\n Usually, the parasite is contracted by consuming water or food contaminated by faeces.<\/p>\n As investigators race to determine the cause of the spike in infections, some locations of Taco Bell in Michigan have put up signs saying that some ingredients will not be served.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them,\u201d the signs say, as reported by the New York Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Taco Bell said it will continue to be guided by health authorities<\/p>\n \u201cThe health and safety of our guests is our top priority,\u201d the company said in a statement published by the Washington Post.<\/p>\n \u201cPublic health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cyclospora parasite is a \u201cnationally notifiable disease\u201d meaning all cases must be reported to the government by health officials.<\/p>\n![\"Michigan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/c235c7f2b07c31067267f21ea5a26f25a2df8e84.jpg\")
Michigan has recorded the highest number of cases since May 1. Credit: CDC<\/p>\n