"Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina have joined the outbreak tied to lettuce from Mexico, said a person familiar with the investigation."
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, adding six states where illnesses have been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, according to three individuals familiar with the investigation.
Missouri, which is reporting 1,095 cases, is one of the states being added, according to a state health department spokesperson. The number of state cases jumped dramatically in the past week. Patients who were interviewed at length by state and local investigators said they consumed Taco Bell before getting sick, spokesperson Lisa Cox said.
The other states are Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina, according to a fourth person familiar with the investigation.
The individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The investigation is continuing to evolve, and the number of states could change."
Lena H. Sun and Rachel Roubein report for the Washington Post August 4, 2026.
