Editor's note: This article was updated Friday, July 17, to include new information.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is urging consumers to practice safe food handling as health officials continue investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

As of Wednesday, July 15, the Alabama Department of Public Health had confirmed 11 cases of cyclosporiasis in Alabama. Ten cases were reported in north Alabama and one case was identified in the southwest region of the state.

Health officials said additional cases may be identified as more people become aware of the outbreak, recognize symptoms and seek testing.

“Food safety is our top priority, and safeguarding Alabama’s food supply is a responsibility we take seriously,” Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate said in a news release. “One of the best ways consumers can protect themselves is by purchasing fresh, Alabama-grown produce from trusted local farmers.”

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries said the majority of the outbreak remains concentrated in the northeastern United States and no deaths have been reported.

According to reports, including The Washington Post, federal investigators are examining whether iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms may be the source of a growing multistate Cyclospora outbreak. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the lettuce as officials work to determine the cause of illnesses linked to the parasite.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,645 confirmed cases nationwide, with more than 5,100 additional cases under investigation. Nearly 7,000 people may have been affected, according to federal health officials. No deaths have been reported.

Earlier this week, the CDC announced it was investigating more than 400 cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. Reports indicate Indiana has also been linked to the outbreak. Health officials have said multiple outbreaks may be occurring simultaneously across at least 34 states.

Michigan has reported the largest number of cases, with 4,312 infections as of Thursday. State health officials said 102 people have been hospitalized. Investigators previously identified lettuce and salad greens as potential sources after conducting more than 1,000 interviews with infected individuals.

According to reports, Taco Bell has voluntarily removed lettuce suspected of being connected to the outbreak from its supply chain nationwide while the investigation continues and plans to replace the product in selected states.

Officials said tracing the source of the outbreak has been challenging because symptoms can take up to two weeks to develop after exposure.

Cyclospora infections are commonly associated with contaminated fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, berries and other fruits and vegetables. Symptoms can appear several days to two weeks after exposure and may include prolonged watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, bloating and weight loss.

Individuals experiencing those symptoms are encouraged to contact a health care provider, particularly if symptoms are severe or persistent.

ADAI is encouraging consumers to continue following food safety practices, including thoroughly washing fresh fruits and vegetables under clean running water before eating, cutting or cooking them. The agency also recommends promptly refrigerating perishable foods, washing hands, utensils, cutting boards and food preparation surfaces before and after handling produce and keeping fresh produce separate from raw meat, poultry, seafood and other foods that could cause cross-contamination.

The department also urged consumers to stay informed about food recalls and public health advisories and to monitor CDC updates regarding the ongoing investigation.

ADAI said its Produce Safety Program works with Alabama growers through education, on-farm assessments and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule to help reduce risks involving water quality, worker hygiene, equipment sanitation and produce handling practices.

The agency said those efforts help ensure fruits and vegetables grown in Alabama are handled safely from the field to consumers.

Reports say Taylor Farms has previously been linked to major foodborne illness investigations. In 2013, health officials traced a Cyclospora outbreak that sickened 631 people in 25 states to a salad mix from a Taylor Farms processing facility in Mexico. Federal officials also determined the company was connected to a 2024 E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers. That outbreak sickened 104 people in 14 states, hospitalized nearly three dozen people and resulted in one death.

ADAI said it will continue working with the FDA, CDC and Alabama Department of Public Health to monitor the situation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.