Health
Nine people who ate lettuce served at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene have become infected with the parasite, public health officials said.
Lettuce is displayed for sale at a store on May 11, 2026, in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell / Getty Images
July 24, 2026 | 2:58 PM
1 minute to read
Nine people who ate lettuce served at a New Hampshire hospital cafeteria have become infected with the cyclospora parasite, state health officials said.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is urging anyone who developed severe or persistent diarrhea after eating lettuce at Cheshire Medical Center as far back as early June to seek testing for cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal illness caused by the parasite.
Public health officials said they are also continuing to investigate reports of additional cases potentially linked to the cluster. The Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria in Keene served lettuce that has since been recalled by Taylor Farms in light of a multistate cyclospora outbreak, New Hampshire’s DHHS said in a news release.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked nearly 2,000 cases nationwide to iceberg lettuce, with 98 hospitalizations but no reported deaths.
In a statement, Dartmouth Health said it has identified 16 patients — including 10 employees — who were exposed to cyclospora in connection with the nationwide outbreak. Public health officials believe some of those cases were likely contracted through contaminated Taylor Farms lettuce served at the hospital’s salad bar prior to the recall, Dartmouth Health said.
“Cheshire has pulled all recalled items and, out of an abundance of caution, all salad bar options are removed until such time that we are confident in the safety of our patients and community,” the health system added.
DHHS asked any New Hampshire residents who have questions about cyclosporiasis or wish to report a suspected case to call 603-271-4496.
“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,” the agency said.
Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.
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