Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak is under control even as Texas health officials report 98 lab-confirmed cases and 21 hospitalizations.
The parasitic infection, which causes severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue that can last for weeks, has sickened hundreds across multiple states this summer. Texas has seen a notable share of cases, with the Texas Department of State Health Services confirming the latest numbers as of this week. Hospitalizations have increased in recent days, adding to the burden on local health systems and families dealing with prolonged illness.
Cyclospora is typically spread through contaminated produce, often linked to imported fresh fruits and vegetables. Federal investigators have pointed to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as a key source in several states. The company issued a voluntary recall of product from central Mexico, affecting supplies distributed widely. The FDA has emphasized that traceback and epidemiological data continue to support the recall despite one reported false-positive lab result that briefly complicated communications.
To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms.
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) July 20, 2026
Over the weekend, FDA alerted Taylor Farms that a new sample of… https://t.co/hedRwhPLd8
Public health officials advise thorough washing of produce, though the parasite's oocysts are resistant to many common sanitizers and require proper cooking or peeling to eliminate risk. Symptoms can take up to a week or more to appear after exposure, which has complicated tracking the full scope of the outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor case counts and work with state partners on investigations. Kennedy’s assessment comes as federal agencies stress that the identified source has been addressed through recalls and heightened import screening, aiming to reassure the public amid summer produce season.
In Texas, local health departments are advising residents experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms to seek medical care and report cases. The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges with food safety in the global supply chain, particularly for items like fresh lettuce.
For more on symptoms, prevention and updates, visit official health resources. Texas residents are encouraged to follow guidance from state health officials on safe food handling during this period of elevated cases.
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