Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health has confirmed 9 people with cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection) who consumed lettuce products served at Dartmouth Health’s Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria in Keene.
Dartmouth Health’s Cheshire Medical Center has identified 16 patients, including 10 employees, who have been exposed to cyclosporiasis, related to the nationwide outbreak of the foodborne parasite cyclospora. “Cheshire immediately started reporting these cases to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and 9 of these cases have currently been confirmed,” according to a hospital news release.
DHHS says it continues to investigate reports of additional cases potentially linked to this cluster. The cafeteria served lettuce that has since been recalled by Taylor Farms due to the national Cyclospora outbreak. DHHS has confirmed that the recalled product is no longer being served at the facility.
Anyone who ate lettuce at Cheshire Medical Center from the beginning of June through July 20, 2026 who develops severe or persistent watery diarrhea should contact their health care provider for evaluation and testing for Cyclospora infection. the DHHS news release said.
People infected with Cyclospora may develop symptoms including watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically begin within one week after consuming contaminated food, but it can be as long as two weeks or more before symptoms develop. If untreated, symptoms can last for weeks and may relapse after a period of improvement. Most healthy people with normal immune function will eventually get better on their own without treatment. Anyone experiencing symptoms with potential exposure to recalled lettuce should contact their healthcare provider.
While DHHS is not aware of any recalled product that has been sold directly to consumers in New Hampshire stores, there are other food service businesses in New Hampshire, such as restaurants or cafeterias, that have received recalled product from Taylor Farms. For questions about cyclosporiasis or to report a suspected illness in New Hampshire, contact DPH at 603-271-4496.
Please visit the DHHS website for updated information about confirmed cases and identified exposure locations in New Hampshire. If the Department identifies any additional exposure locations based on ongoing disease investigation activity, they will appear on the site as soon as information is available.
To learn more about cyclosporiasis, please visit the DHHS Cyclosporiasis webpage.
The release from Dartmouth Health’s Cheshire Medical Center said, “At this time, no inpatients have contracted cyclosporiasis while at Cheshire.”
“DHHS findings suggest that some of the cases Cheshire identified were likely contracted through consumption of contaminated Taylor Farms lettuce served at Cheshire’s cafeteria salad bar prior to the national recall. Cheshire has pulled all recalled items and out of an abundance of caution, all salad bar options have been temporarily removed until such time that we are confident in the safety of our patients and community.
“Cheshire continues to monitor the situation closely and is partnering with DHH S while they conduct ongoing investigations to verify exposures to recalled products and will adjust operations as appropriate based on available public health and FDA guidance with any ongoing investigation.
“While cyclosporiasis is not deadly, it can cause extreme gastrointestinal distress. Since transmission occurs through ingestion of contaminated food or water, Dartmouth Health encourages frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water (or hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available), and thoroughly rinsing produce (especially lettuces, broccoli, and berries) in clean water before consumption,” the hospital release said.