Parasite Cases Increasing In NJ: See Latest Data, Products To Avoid

Case numbers of cyclosporiasis continue to steadily increase in New Jersey as officials work to contain the multi-state outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite.

The CDC reported that New Jersey has between 50 and 199 laboratory confirmed cases. The New Jersey Department of Health has confirmed 108 cases, as of Aug. 8.

"While New Jersey is not experiencing substantial increases, illness clusters or outbreaks at this time, reported cases are steadily increasing," wrote the New Jersey Department of Health.

Nationally, case counts have risen to more than 22,000, according to the CDC, with 10,468 confirmed cases and another 12,255 additional probable or under-investigation cases. Thousands more have been reported by state health departments.

Two deaths have also been confirmed in Michigan.

Some states like Illinois have seen a decrease in new cases, even as the total case numbers continue to increase.

The investigation into the source of the outbreak remains ongoing.

Cuts to federal public-health funding could also be making it harder for states to detect and contain the cyclosporiasis outbreak quickly.

CDC funding supports disease surveillance, laboratory testing, epidemiological investigations and the public-health workforce needed to track outbreaks.

In its FY2026 budget proposal, the CDC eliminated $40 million in funding for its Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity program from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, along with $12 million for Healthcare-Associated Infections programs.

Separately, the administration attempted to cut roughly $600 million in CDC-administered public-health grants to four states, including funding for disease surveillance and outbreak response, although a federal judge temporarily blocked the cuts.

These reductions do not establish that funding cuts caused the current cyclosporiasis outbreak, but they raise questions about whether state and federal health agencies have enough staffing and resources to rapidly detect cases and conduct laboratory testing.

The recall on iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico remains in place, despite a false positive on a test earlier this week. Traceback data from cases connects this outbreak to that source, the CDC said.

Taco Bell has since removed the affected lettuce from its local restaurants and national supply chain, and Taylor Farms has issued a nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico. Sysco, the nation’s largest food distributor, withdrew all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico at ​the supplier's request.

Find the complete list of affected products, as well as lot codes and use-by dates, here.