While experts say all the lettuce linked to the nationwide outbreaks of the stomach-churning infection cyclosporiasis has been removed from grocery shelves and Taco Bells, and any purchased by consumers has long since gone bad and likely been thrown away, the number of cases continues to rise as reports continue to come in.
On Aug. 13, the Florida Department of Health reported 407 cases between May 1 and Aug. 8, a 19% jump from the week before. The most new cases were reported in Bay, Palm Beach, and Polk counties, each adding eight more, and Marion and Miami-Dade counties both added six.
Cyclosporiasis, which can cause watery, "explosive" diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues that can last for weeks, has now been reported in 43 of Florida's
67 counties, with a new case added in Citrus County.
Health officials have not linked Florida cases to a specific outbreak. The foodborne infection is not unusual in the Sunshine State, where a warm climate provides year-round access to fresh produce. Florida often sees a seasonal rise in cyclosporiasis during late spring and summer, with an average of 246 cases of cyclosporiasis every year from 2015 through 2025. Cases surged to over 500 in both 2019 and 2022.
In an Aug. 11 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 13,895 confirmed cases in 47 states, up from 10,468 the week before. Cases have now been reported in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In comparison, just 1,180 cases were reported in the United States between May 1 and August 31, 2025, the CDC said, adding that at least 10,455 additional cases this year have not yet been confirmed by laboratories.
Two deaths have been reported in Michigan, one of the hardest-hit states.
The largest outbreak of the parasitic infection linked to iceberg lettuce distributed to restaurants and sold in packaged salad products by California-based Taylor Farms has led to staggering numbers of cases in nine states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating smaller outbreaks around the country.
Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida
Florida continues to see a surge in reported cyclosporiasis cases, with state health officials reporting 407 probable and confirmed cases between May 1 and Aug. 1, out of a total of 417 reported cases this year.
Cases by county since May 1, with last week's increase:
- Alachua County: 5 (+1)
- Baker County: 1
- Bay County: 24 (+8)
- Brevard County: 6
- Broward County: 34
- Charlotte County: 2 (+1)
- Citrus County: 1 (+1)
- Collier County: 7
- Columbia County: 1
- Duval County: 9 (+1)
- Escambia County: 5 (+2)
- Flagler County: 3
- Gadsden County: 1
- Hernando County: 2 (+1)
- Highlands County: 2
- Hillsborough County: 13 (+3)
- Indian River County: 1
- Jackson County: 3 (+1)
- Lake County: 8 (+2)
- Lee County: 33 (+3)
- Leon County: 7 (+2)
- Manatee County: 11 (+3)
- Marion County: 11 (+6)
- Martin County: 2
- Miami-Dade County: 53 (+6)
- Monroe County: 2 (+1)
- Nassau County: 2 (+1)
- Okaloosa County: 9 (+2)
- Orange County: 28 (+3)
- Osceola County: 8
- Palm Beach County: 22 (+8)
- Pasco County: 8 (+3)
- Pinellas County: 17 (+1)
- Polk County: 18 (+8)
- Santa Rosa County: 6 (+1)
- Sarasota County: 5 (+1)
- Seminole County: 11
- St. Johns County: 11 (+2)
- St. Lucie County: 3
- Sumter County: 2
- Volusia County: 12 (+1)
- Wakulla County: 1
- Walton County: 3
Cyclosporiasis by the numbers
CDC numbers are reported weekly and include only cases that are laboratory-confirmed, acquired domestically, and occurred since May 1. CDC numbers tend to experience a six-week lag, according to the agency.
Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed reports of:
- 13,895 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis
- 740 hospitalizations
- 2 deaths
- 47 states reporting cases, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may vary, according to the CDC, but the most common sign is persistent, watery diarrhea.
Others include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Others may show no symptoms at all.
Symptoms can begin to show from two days to two weeks or more after infection, the CDC said. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
If symptoms persist, contact your health care provider.
How to avoid cyclosporiasis
The single best way to avoid the illness is not to eat food connected with an outbreak, the CDC said. Buy your produce from local growers, or grow it yourself.
Fightbac.org offers more tips on avoiding foodborne illnesses:
- Wash your hands. Before and after handling food, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Discard outer layers. When possible, throw away the outer layer of fruits and vegetables, such as the outer two to three layers of leafy greens.
- Rinse produce thoroughly. Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean running water, even if you plan to peel them. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce. However, Cyclospora parasites are resistant to rinsing.
- Be cautious with pre-washed or pre-cut produce. Commercial washing processes may not be sufficient to remove the parasite. Many of the Taylor Farms products that were recalled were pre-cut lettuce in bags, such as salad kits.
- Avoid cross-contamination. Clean kitchen countertops, cutting boards, utensils, etc. with hot, soapy water.
- Prioritize cooking. If the produce can be cooked, heating it to a temperature of at least 158 degrees is the safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal. Cyclospora cannot survive at these elevated temperatures.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida cyclosporiasis cases top 400 in latest update
