An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora, has been linked to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants across the United States. As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,645 confirmed cases of the infection nationwide.
Cyclosporiasis is characterized by watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Federal health officials identified Taco Bell's lettuce as the likely source of the outbreak, prompting discussions and jokes online.
Social media users responded to the news with a mix of concern and humor, sharing observations about the outbreak. Some users humorously referred to the symptom of diarrhea as a "summer cleanse" or a "live más" experience, playing on Taco Bell's slogan. The outbreak and its association with a fast-food item have become a topic of conversation on platforms like Threads and Bluesky, with users sharing memes and witty remarks about the situation.