HEALTH ALERT: Lettuce and Salad Greens Linked to Massive Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak

LANSING, Mich. — State health officials are urging Michigan residents to exercise extreme caution when consuming leafy greens following a massive surge in cyclosporiasis cases across the state.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed that as of July 13, 2026, a staggering 2,640 cases have been reported. For context, Michigan typically only records 40 to 50 cases of the illness in an entire year.

While the investigation is ongoing and no specific supplier, grower, or brand has been named, early interviews strongly point to lettuce or salad greens as the primary source of the outbreak.

What is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines, usually contracted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It is highly resistant to routine chemical disinfection.

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

• Watery diarrhea

• Nausea

• Stomach cramps

Note on Symptoms: It can take up to two weeks after exposure for symptoms to develop. If you are experiencing frequent, watery diarrhea, contact your doctor immediately and explicitly request a Cyclospora test, as routine stool tests often miss the parasite. Cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics.

Urgent Food Safety Recommendations

Because washing alone cannot guarantee the removal of the parasite, MDHHS advises all individuals, restaurants, and commercial kitchens to adopt these immediate safety measures:

1. Ditch the Bags, Buy Whole Heads

Avoid pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits. Instead, purchase whole heads of lettuce.

• Discard: Remove and throw away the outer two to three layers of leaves before preparing.

• Wash: Thoroughly rinse the remaining inner leaves under clean, running water.

2. Cook Your Greens (When Possible)

Heating food to an internal temperature of at least 158°F (70°C) kills the parasite. If a green can be cooked, cooking it is the safest option.

3. Peel and Wash All Produce

• Peel items with removable skin, as the parasite sits on the outer surface.

• Always wash fresh produce under clean running water. Do not rely on “pre-washed” labels, and note that rewashing bagged lettuce is unlikely to remove the parasite.

High-Risk Groups

While everyone should take precautions, these safety guidelines are critical for individuals at a higher risk for severe illness, dehydration, or complications:

• Infants and young children

• The elderly

• Organ transplant recipients

• Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

• Anyone with a weakened immune system

What is NOT a Risk Factor

Health officials clarified that recreational water exposure (such as swimming in lakes) is not a risk factor for this illness, and there is no evidence linking swimming or water activities to this outbreak. The primary focus remains entirely on foodborne exposure.

For continued updates on this evolving situation, visit the MDHHS Infectious Disease Outbreaks web page or the CDC’s official Cyclosporiasis page.