What is not in doubt is that there is a large Cyclospora outbreak in the United States at present. According to the CDC’s cyclosporiasis surveillance page, on June 18, 2026, the “CDC received reports of 145 cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States of people who became sick from May 1, 2026, through June 16, 2026.” Of the 145 cases acquired in the U.S., there are a reported 20 hospitalizations, 0 deaths, with 17 states reporting cases.
Since mid-June — the numbers have grown substantially, with independent state-level reporting and news outlets (NPR, ABC News, NBC/Today) showing this number growing substantially. The CDC’s own search-result page (updated July 9) shows the total climbing to 843 cases across 31 states, with 18 hospitalized and again, no deaths.
The CDC, at that time, explicitly cautioned the true number is likely higher since many people recover without seeking care or getting tested.
The CDC was correct about the number of cases actually being higher, as seen in NBC’s tally of state-level reports of 4,000+ as of July 13, which reflects those that might not yet have reached the CDC, including locally reported cases. One again, this does not include unreported cases where people did not seek medical attention.
Is there a Single Source?
While the CDC has explicitly said it has no evidence yet that this is one single, connected multistate outbreak — it does admit to investigating multiple possible clusters, and one of those appears to be Taco Bell. And in fact many of the victims’ calls show exposure to Taco Bell, especially consumption of the Taco Supreme.
Now there is additional evidence. This week, some Taco Bell locations, as reported across the media in multiple locations, have issued an order pulling certain fresh ingredients — including lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and its cilantro-onion blend — from amid the cyclospora parasite outbreak.
While Taco Bell may not be the sole source of illness in this Cyclospora outbreak, many of the victims allege to have consumed Taco Bell products prior to acquiring Cyclosporiasis within the incubation period. This, according toe Cyclospora lawyer Ron Simon is happening at his firm, the national food poisoning law firm of Ron Simon & Associates. According to Ron Simon, they have now preprepared a Cyclospora Lawsuit against Taco Bell on behalf of Michael Oliver in Michigan, adn have other Cyclospora lawsuits prepared for clients in Texas, Kentucky, and Florida.
Taco Bell: Outbreak History Leading up to the 2026 Cyclospora Outbreak
Taco Bell is no stranger to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks: Here are a few notable outbreaks in which Taco Bell played a role.
In 1993 – A Taco Bell in Syracuse, NY was temporarily closed after at least 11 confirmed cases of Salmonella poisoning among people who visited the restaurant between June 14 and 19. The company called it isolated and replaced the restaurant’s food supply.
In 2006 – Taco Bell’s most damaging outbreak reputation-wise was an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked Taco Bell restaurants in four Northeastern states, sickening 71 people across five states, with 52 confirmed by the CDC via matching strain. Investigators initially blamed green onions, but after further investigation, Taco Bell determined lettuce was the actual cause and switched produce suppliers in the affected region.
In 2011–2012 – A third Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak hit, sickening 73 people across 10 states, with 58 people explicitly linking illness to Taco Bell, and 19 hospitalizations. Oklahoma health officials broke ranks with the CDC to publicly name Taco Bell as the source.
In 2010 – Two concurrent multistate Salmonella outbreaks (serotypes Baildon and Hartford) were linked to Taco Bell restaurants, ultimately sickening 155 people across 21 states. A traceback investigation never pinned down a common food source, and the CDC initially withheld the chain’s name, calling it only “Restaurant Chain A.”
In 2018 – A Taco Bell employee in Corning, Arkansas tested positive for hepatitis A, prompting a health advisory for anyone who’d eaten there in the prior two weeks.
What is the Parasite Cyclospora
Cyclospora cayetanensis (hereinafter “cyclospora”) is a parasite composed of a single cell too small to be seen without a microscope. This parasite causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.
Cyclospora is spread when people ingest something – such as food or water – that is contaminated with feces (stool). People living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world may be at increased risk for infection because cyclosporiasis is endemic to those regions. In the United States, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis are relatively rare, and in the past have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, including fruits, and vegetables.
The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is approximately seven days, though it can vary greatly. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms are also relatively common.
If not treated, the illness often lasts for months. Symptoms may also seem to go away and then return one or more times during infection. It is common for a victim of cyclospora poisoning to suffer chronic fatigue.
Will Taco Bell be Implicated Nation-Wide? Its hard to say, says Simon. While the epidemiological investigation is not complete yet, the percentage of victims calling his firm strongly suggests Taco Bell is the source, with a majority of those having consumed a Taco Supreme.
