Arkansas's Health Department Confirmed the Expansion in a Statement To, and Missouri's Health Department Also Confirmed Its Involvement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its investigation into the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, including Arkansas and Missouri, after Michigan reported the first two US deaths linked to the disease. Arkansas's health department confirmed the expansion in a statement to the Guardian, and Missouri's health department also confirmed its involvement. The Washington Post reported that Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina are also included.

As of 28 July, the CDC had recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases and about 11,500 suspected cases across 45 states since May, with most suspected cases in Michigan and Ohio. Cyclosporiasis, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, spreads through contaminated food or water and causes symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps. The FDA has identified iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as the source of one outbreak, prompting a recall affecting restaurants in 27 states and grocery stores in 15. On 24 July, the CDC added Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania to the lettuce-linked outbreak, which now includes nine states.

Michigan, the hardest hit with 11,234 cases, reported the first two deaths on Monday. The CDC advises against eating recalled lettuce and urges those with symptoms to seek medical care. Arkansas is one of the states the CDC is adding to the multi-state outbreak for cyclosporiasis.