West Virginia Bureau for Public Health issues warning amid rise in cyclosporiasis cases
News Release
July 17, 2026
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Community Bulletin
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The West Virginia Department of Health’s Bureau for Public Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by a stomach parasite
As of July 17, West Virginia has identified 139 cases of cyclosporiasis, including 15 hospitalizations, in 26 counties
As a precaution, state health officials advise residents to:
- Avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in West Virginia.
- Contact a health care provider if they are experiencing symptoms, especially if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell during the previous two weeks.
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the lettuce.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure and can persist for weeks if untreated
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone experiencing sudden or ongoing diarrhea should contact a health care provider for testing and treatment
For the latest updates, visit the West Virginia Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services outbreak page
