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The CDC updated its investigation page for the 2026 cyclospora outbreak on August 5, and the numbers moved substantially. This is a plain-language rundown of what changed, what the symptoms look like, and the single most important thing to know: cyclosporiasis is diagnosed and treated by a doctor, not by anything on a store shelf. Because long stretches of diarrhea are one of the most common triggers for hemorrhoid flare-ups, we also cover aftercare for readers dealing with that side of it.
As of August 5, the CDC reports 6,358 laboratory-confirmed cases across 15 states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. At least 278 people have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported in Michigan. Illness onsets run from June 22 through July 31, 2026. The CDC notes the true number of sick people is likely higher, since many people with diarrhea never get tested. The outbreak has not been declared over.
Investigators traced the illnesses to iceberg lettuce processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico, served shredded at Taco Bell locations. On July 17, the company recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Case counts climbing after a recall is expected rather than alarming: cyclospora takes about a week to cause symptoms, and testing and reporting add more lag, so illnesses that began weeks ago are still entering the official count.
Cyclosporiasis typically causes watery diarrhea that can be frequent and prolonged, along with appetite loss, cramping, bloating, fatigue, and weight loss. A distinctive feature is that symptoms can seem to improve and then return. Left untreated, this cycle can drag on for a month or more.
If you have diarrhea that has lasted more than a few days, see a healthcare provider. That goes double if you ate at a Taco Bell in one of the affected states in June or July. Diagnosis requires a stool test that your provider must specifically order, and treatment is a prescription antibiotic, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. No over-the-counter product treats this parasite, and that includes every product we sell. Mention the outbreak by name when you call; it helps your provider order the right test.
Weeks of urgency, frequent bathroom trips, repeated wiping, and straining are hard on the cushions of blood vessels in the rectum and anus. Many people finish a gut illness with a hemorrhoid flare-up they did not have when it started. This is a well-recognized pattern, and it usually settles as bowel habits return to normal, though the weeks in between can be miserable.
While your gut recovers, the goals are simple: less friction, less irritation, more comfort.
To be clear one more time: these measures address hemorrhoid symptoms only. They do not treat cyclosporiasis or any infection.
Follow the CDC investigation page for case counts and status, and the FDA outbreak page for recall details.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with a healthcare provider about diagnosis and treatment of any condition.
