'National Emergency' Declared as Trump Administration Officials Are Now Warning Americans To Be Vigilant As Cases Of Parasit...
CDC Confirms 1,645 Cyclospora Cases, More Than 5,100 Others Investigated
A rapidly growing foodborne illness outbreak has expanded far beyond what federal health officials first believed, with thousands of Americans now either confirmed or under investigation for a parasitic infection that can cause weeks of debilitating gastrointestinal illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the outbreak has reached a level far exceeding recent years, with investigators now working across dozens of states to determine exactly what is making so many people sick.
The CDC announced Tuesday that 1,645 people have been confirmed to have cyclosporiasis after becoming infected in the United States since May 1, while more than 5,100 additional cases are under investigation.
Combined, health officials are now reviewing more than 7,000 possible cases across the country.
The CDC said confirmed infections have been identified in 34 states, with several separate investigations underway.
A major outbreak centered in Michigan and Ohio has now been epidemiologically linked to cases in West Virginia and Kentucky, suggesting those infections may share a common source.
Federal health officials say the number of confirmed cases is already more than six times higher than it was at this point last year.
If the confirmed and suspected cases are combined, this year’s total is roughly 27 times higher than the same period in 2025.
“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” said Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases.
“It’s a very big shift.”
The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness that commonly produces severe watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite.
Symptoms can last for several weeks and often return after initially improving.
According to CDC data, approximately one out of every eleven confirmed patients has required hospitalization.
No deaths have been reported.
Investigators believe at least 400 confirmed cases spanning Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky appear to be connected.
Michigan has emerged as the hardest-hit state, reporting more than 3,300 cases during its investigation.
State officials have interviewed more than 1,000 patients and say the evidence currently points toward lettuce or salad greens as a possible source.
However, investigators emphasized that no specific produce item, grower, supplier or distributor has been identified.
The CDC likewise says multiple investigations remain active and that no single nationwide source has been confirmed.
As concern has grown, Taco Bell announced Tuesday that it is voluntarily removing certain ingredients from menus at select restaurants as a precaution.
The company stressed that public health officials have not linked Taco Bell, any ingredient, supplier or restaurant to the outbreak.
“Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer,” the company said in a statement.
Cyclosporiasis is generally spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite rather than through person-to-person contact.
Previous U.S. outbreaks have been traced to fresh produce, including raspberries, cilantro, basil and salad greens.
Federal investigators continue working with state health departments to identify the source of the current outbreak.
Until that source is identified, health officials are urging anyone who develops persistent watery diarrhea or other symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider, particularly if symptoms continue for several days or lead to dehydration, CNN reported.
With confirmed cases continuing to climb and thousands more still under investigation, the CDC says the scope of the outbreak remains fluid as investigators work to determine exactly where the contamination originated.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Unfortunately "I Was Right", Tom Homan just shared heartbreaking news. Please pray
Emotional Tom Homan Slams Dems’ Anti-ICE Rhetoric
A violent attack outside a federal building has prompted one of the Trump administration’s top immigration officials to issue a stark warning about the growing threats facing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Speaking outside the White House, the official said the latest incident is exactly what he feared would happen after months of increasingly heated rhetoric directed at federal immigration agents.
Border czar Tom Homan told reporters Monday that recent attacks against ICE officers are the direct result of what he described as inflammatory political rhetoric, warning that if it continues, more federal agents could be seriously injured or killed.
Homan’s remarks came after authorities said 43-year-old Army veteran Andrew Arrabaca allegedly threw an incendiary device at New York City’s 26 Federal Plaza, which houses offices for both the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the incident resulted in two minor injuries.
“I said this a year ago,” Homan told reporters.
“If the hateful rhetoric doesn’t stop, there will be bloodshed. And, unfortunately, I was right,” Homan added.
Homan argued that repeated comparisons between ICE agents and Nazis or fascists have encouraged some individuals to target federal law enforcement officers.
“They keep attacking and miscommunicating what ICE does every day, calling them Nazis,” Homan said. “Comparing ICE to the Nazi regime — are you kidding me?”
The border czar said he fears the violence is far from over.
“I’m afraid that we’re going to bury an ICE agent,” Homan said. “I’m afraid I’m going to hand another folded-up flag to a spouse or a child of an ICE agent for simply doing his job.”
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Homan also criticized members of Congress who have accused ICE of acting like fascists.
“For any member of Congress who keep attacking ICE and calling them fascists and Nazis,” he said, “if they’re a Nazi from enforcing the law, what’s that make them?”
“We’re not making this up,” Homan continued.
“We are enforcing laws they wrote, and that they appropriate us money to enforce.”
At the same time, Homan said ICE personnel who violate the law should be held accountable.
“I will state once again, if ICE agents acted inappropriately, or illegal, they’ll be held accountable,” he said.
He pointed to a recent case in Minnesota as an example of officers facing consequences when misconduct occurs.
Homan also spoke personally about the impact the threats have had on his own life.
“I can’t even go get a quart of milk at the grocery store without a security detail,” he said.
“Why? Because I’m enforcing the laws of this country.”
“It’s pathetic and disgusting.”
After making his remarks, Homan walked away from reporters without taking additional questions.
The incident at Federal Plaza is the latest in a series of confrontations involving ICE as the Trump administration continues its aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.
According to The National News Desk, at least nine people have died nationwide during encounters involving ICE agents since the administration’s expanded enforcement operations began last year.
The outlet reported that no federal officers have been criminally charged in connection with those deaths and noted that the federal government has argued state prosecutors generally lack jurisdiction over federal officers acting within the scope of their duties.
Among the most recent incidents were two separate fatal traffic stops involving ICE agents last week in Texas and Maine.
Following those shootings, the Department of Homeland Security briefly paused certain ICE traffic stop operations while reviewing procedures.
President Donald Trump quickly reversed that decision, however, praising ICE officers on Truth Social and writing that they were doing a “GREAT job,” Mediaite reported.
The latest attack and Homan’s comments come as immigration enforcement remains one of the administration’s signature issues heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Supporters argue ICE agents are carrying out laws enacted by Congress and deserve protection while performing dangerous duties.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
