The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reportedly expanded the scope of the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States to 15 states as of August 5, 2026. This expansion follows Michigan's report of the first two US deaths linked to the disease since the outbreak began.

According to the Washington Post, which cited multiple sources familiar with the matter, the six newly added states are Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. A spokesperson from Arkansas’s health department confirmed to the Guardian that Arkansas is now included in the multi-state outbreak investigation.

As of July 28, the CDC had recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with approximately 11,500 suspected cases awaiting confirmation. Cases have been reported in 45 states since May 2026, though most suspected cases have been concentrated in Michigan and Ohio.

Earlier, on July 24, the CDC announced that the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce had expanded to four additional states: Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. At that time, illnesses associated with the outbreak had been reported in nine states including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Michigan remains the hardest hit state, with health officials reporting 11,234 outbreak-linked cases. The state’s report of the first two deaths linked to cyclosporiasis marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

The Guardian has reached out to the CDC and health departments of Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina for further comment.

Sources