A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness, has sickened nearly 7,000 people across 34 states, with authorities largely attributing the infections to contaminated lettuce supplied to Taco Bell. The outbreak has resulted in 94 hospitalizations, though no deaths have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Alonso Zaragoza, a 46-year-old Chicago resident, experienced excruciating symptoms, including relentless diarrhea and bloody stools, after consuming a Chalupa Supreme from Taco Bell. His ordeal led to a hospital visit where he was diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness often linked to contaminated produce. Zaragoza reported symptoms for over a week, experiencing diarrhea every hour and a half and sleeping no more than 90 minutes at a time.
"I don’t think I slept more than an hour and a half continuously in the last week," Zaragoza told NBC Chicago 5. "My family was like, ‘That’s not normal,’" he recalled after noticing blood in his stool.
Doctors administered blood and stool tests, provided IV fluids, and diagnosed him with the parasite. Zaragoza traced his potential exposure to the chalupa, noting that iceberg lettuce was listed as an ingredient and that it was the only item he ate containing lettuce recently. He has since reported being at "80%" recovery.
The CDC has linked the outbreak to tainted iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms. Taco Bell has confirmed it has removed the affected lettuce from its restaurants, and Taylor Farms has issued recalls for a list of products, including shredded iceberg lettuce.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by ingesting the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is contaminated with human feces. Symptoms typically include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, bloating, weight loss, and a low-grade fever. The illness can be more severe for individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly, or young children, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The widespread outbreak has also led to multiple lawsuits against Taco Bell. One plaintiff, Mohammed Ayyad of Ohio, filed a suit after experiencing severe headaches, chills, vomiting, and persistent diarrhea following meals at Taco Bell in mid-June. A stool test confirmed he had contracted the parasite, causing him to miss two weeks of work and continue to suffer from nausea. His lawsuit names franchisee Pacific Bells LLC and his attorney, Bill Marler, intends to add Taylor Farms as a defendant. Marler stated that his firm has been contacted by over 30 individuals who believe they contracted cyclosporiasis after eating at Taco Bell.
Zaragoza advised others to take precautions, such as staying hydrated and thoroughly cleaning and cooking any greens consumed.