Federal health officials confirmed Thursday that a parasitic illness outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has now sickened 11,458 Americans across 20 states, making it the largest cyclospora outbreak in United States history and raising serious questions about food safety oversight at the border.

Three More States Confirm Cases

The Food and Drug Administration announced that Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas have now reported cases connected to the outbreak, adding to the 17 states previously identified. The case count jumped from approximately 10,900 just one week ago, according to federal health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 922 Americans have required hospitalization this year due to cyclospora infections, with roughly 29,000 total confirmed or suspected cases nationwide in 2026 alone.

The previous record was set in 2019 when about 4,700 cyclospora cases were reported across the country. This year’s outbreak represents more than double that figure, and health officials continue investigating new cases daily. The FDA maintains that all recalled iceberg lettuce connected to this specific outbreak has been removed from store shelves and the food supply chain.

Mexican Farm Under Federal Investigation

Federal investigators have traced the contaminated lettuce to a farm in central Mexico operated by Taylor Farms, a major produce supplier to American grocery stores and restaurants. FDA staffers are currently conducting on-site inspections and testing produce at the Mexican facility in cooperation with officials from the Mexican government. The agency has not released details about what specific contamination controls failed or how the parasite entered the food supply.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes severe watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements, according to the CDC. The heat-loving parasite infects human intestines and spreads through fecal contamination. Outbreaks typically occur during late spring and summer months when temperatures favor parasite survival.

Food Safety Questions Mount

The unprecedented scale of this outbreak raises concerns about inspection protocols for produce imported from foreign suppliers. Many cyclospora cases are never successfully traced to a specific food source, making this investigation critical for understanding how such widespread contamination occurred. The illness, called cyclosporiasis, remains less common than foodborne sicknesses caused by salmonella or E. coli, but this outbreak demonstrates the potential for imported produce to sicken thousands of Americans when safety measures fail.

Health officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclospora infection to seek medical attention immediately. The parasite can cause prolonged illness lasting weeks or months without proper antibiotic treatment.