Don’t point fingers at Taco Bell for the explosive diarrhea parasite.

Bryan, a food broker from Michigan, found himself in a race against time to get to urgent care. It all started on Thursday when he began feeling unwell, and by Saturday, he was making bathroom trips every 15 to 30 minutes. “It’s no joke about the explosive diarrhea,” he shared, preferring to keep his last name private. I connected with him through Reddit, where I had been diving into discussions about cyclosporiasis, the illness causing explosive diarrhea outbreaks across the country, and the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite responsible for it, which spreads through contaminated food. Symptoms can kick in anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure, and they can fluctuate, with the explosive diarrhea sometimes pausing for a day or two before returning. In severe cases, dehydration can lead to hospitalization. Currently, there have been 141 hospitalizations reported, but thankfully, no deaths.

As someone who enjoys elaborate salads, I was alarmed to learn that a parasite linked to such distress might be infiltrating summer produce in the U.S. I sought answers, and it seemed I wasn’t alone; many others on Reddit were also searching for information in the absence of clear guidance from health authorities. While health agencies are being careful about issuing immediate advice, the lack of information has left many suffering individuals — and those worried about becoming ill — to fend for themselves, leading to some conspiracy theories about government motives. The truth is more straightforward: federal agencies are waiting for more data before making recommendations, and Cyclospora infections are notoriously tricky to trace.

Though Bryan couldn’t get a test to confirm his condition, he suspects he has cyclosporiasis, joining over 5,000 others infected nationwide. This number is likely an undercount, as many cases go unreported, and recent cuts to a federal program tracking foodborne illnesses may be hampering investigation efforts. The “explosive diarrhea parasite” is a significant issue, though its full extent remains unclear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,645 cases since May 1st and is aware of at least 5,100 additional cases needing further investigation.

At urgent care, Bryan underwent a comprehensive set of tests, except for the one that would identify Cyclospora, which standard diarrhea tests cannot detect. “The nurse practitioner said, ‘We can do one of two things: We can wait until Monday, or I can prescribe you Bactrim immediately,’” he recounted. “She mentioned that the labs were so overwhelmed in Michigan that they couldn’t keep up with the number of patients.”

Michigan currently has the highest number of confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the country, with 2,640 reported as of Monday. State health officials indicated that lettuce and other salad greens could be a potential source of this outbreak, although they haven’t pinpointed a specific type of produce or any suppliers. However, investigations are underway regarding Taco Bell, which has voluntarily recalled lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole from some locations.

Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, emphasized that a lack of information doesn’t equate to a lack of government action. “Large outbreaks like this take time to resolve, and it’s not unusual for it to take several days, especially if multiple products are involved,” she explained. “Many people are working on this investigation, highlighting the need for epidemiologists and disease detectives to help safeguard our food supply.”

Tracking this parasite is inherently challenging. “Cyclospora outbreaks are among the most difficult foodborne outbreaks to investigate,” noted Rodney E. Rohde, program chair of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University. The parasite’s lengthy incubation period — typically about a week — combined with the short shelf life of fresh produce complicates identifying the source of infections. Even when a suspect food is found, testing for Cyclospora is not straightforward.

“Another challenge is that pathogens are often present in very low quantities and may be unevenly distributed throughout a food lot,” Rohde explained, meaning a lab might analyze a small sample from a large batch without yielding conclusive results. Even when contamination is confirmed, tracing it back is difficult because fresh produce often passes through numerous growers, packers, distributors, and retailers before reaching consumers, and contaminated lots may no longer be available once illnesses are reported.

Additional obstacles exist as well. ProPublica’s Annie Waldman highlighted that the Food and Drug Administration lost over 240 consumer safety specialists last year due to budget cuts. Last July, the CDC also scaled back a program that tracked foodborne illnesses in collaboration with the FDA, the Department of Agriculture, and state health departments. Before July 2025, the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) worked with ten state governments to monitor various pathogens, including Cyclospora. However, it stopped requiring state health departments to track most of these pathogens, including Cyclospora.

“Essentially, the CDC is stepping back from one of their most effective surveillance systems,” Dr. J. Glenn Morris, director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida, stated. The CDC has clarified that the data for cyclosporiasis in this outbreak is consistent with previous seasons, using the same systems and processes.

FoodNet was “designed as a sentinel system,” Hamilton explained. “It wasn’t meant to be the primary system for detecting outbreaks. The main way we identify outbreaks related to Cyclospora is through state reporting processes, which then share data with the CDC to help detect infections.”

The CDC has identified a link between cases in four states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Cases have been reported in 34 states, but it’s unclear how many are connected. The source of the outbreak remains unidentified, and tracing efforts are ongoing. For those looking to be cautious, the CDC and FDA are not currently advising against eating specific foods, but both Hamilton and Rohde stressed the importance of practicing good food hygiene, including thoroughly washing and drying all fresh produce.

Given the recent reports suggesting lettuce might be a potential source of infections, Rohde recommended avoiding it and other products linked to past outbreaks, especially for those who are immunocompromised or live in areas with high case numbers. “Vegetables and fruits are crucial for a nutritious diet,” he noted, “BUT it’s wise to stay informed about local, state, and federal health reports.” If that means skipping herbs during the summer, so be it.

Previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been traced back to lettuces and other leafy greens. After over 640 people across 11 states fell ill in 2020, the FDA recalled bagged salads sold at various retailers, linking the infections to Fresh Express’ Illinois plant. Other outbreaks have been associated with snow and snap peas, raspberries, and herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro.

“Ultimately, prevention relies heavily on reducing contamination during production rather than at home,” Rohde stated.

Eager for a safe leafy green option, I inquired about the safety of farmers market produce. Rohde’s response was both disappointing and enlightening. He explained that preventing future outbreaks hinges on reducing contamination at the source — in farms and distribution networks. “Farmers’ markets may not be connected to any common agricultural water supply that could be a potential source of contamination. So, in that sense, they might be safer. However, if you’re in a ‘hot geographic area,’ it’s still wise to be cautious.”

While expert opinions on this matter vary and will likely continue to do so until more information about the outbreak is available, I’ve decided to steer clear of raw greens for now, hoping to avoid Bryan’s unfortunate experience.

After nearly a week, Bryan reported he’s starting to feel much better, but the journey to recovery was long and uncomfortable, filled with Preparation H wipes and countless trips to the bathroom. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” he said.