https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-says-taylor-farms-cyclospora-finding-was-false-positive-2026-07-20/

FDA says Taylor Farms cyclospora finding was a false positive
By Chandni Shah and ​Devika Nair in Bengaluru - July 19, 2026; 8:50 PM

Companies

• Taylor Farms Florida Inc.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Yum! Brands Inc

July 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Sunday that laboratory experts ​re-checked lettuce sample results from Taylor Farms in an ‌investigation into an outbreak of the cyclospora parasite and concluded the finding should be considered a false positive.

As of Sunday, there were no confirmed ​positive sample results for cyclospora, the FDA added.

The FDA on ​Saturday had said that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce ⁠supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for the parasitic illness ​that has sickened thousands of people in the U.S.

A spokesperson ​for Taylor Fresh Foods told Reuters that the company was informed the FDA made a mistake.

"To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a ​single positive product test result for cyclospora", the company said.

Taylor ​Fresh Foods added that it had completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce ‌from ⁠central Mexico out of an abundance of caution based on the initial information given.

The FDA, in its latest update said it has "notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure the ​product implicated in ​this outbreak ⁠has been removed from the market".

The company had earlier confirmed that the product was not part ​of its current recall, according to the FDA.

Cyclosporiasis, which ​has been linked ⁠to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Yum Brands' Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia has so far ⁠resulted ​in around 100 hospitalizations and no ​deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This lengthy research article offers creation science vs. evolutionary perspective from Answers in Genesis.

Clear graphics and exploration of this topic are well worth a full read at the link. Excerpted here for length.

https://answersingenesis.org/biology/disease/bulls-eye-on-borrelia/

Bull’s-Eye on Borrelia: A Commensal and Consequential Pathogen

Ticks and Their Role in Lyme Disease and Alpha-gal

Dr. Alan L. Gillen, Adam Russell, and Zipporah Nedlock    |   July 17, 2026

Abstract
If Lyme disease causes such urgent and chronic disease issues, where do Borrelia bacteria and ticks fit into a very good creation (Genesis 1)? How did bacteria and ticks change to rely on different hosts and blood for survival? And how are these adaptations informing today’s research in bacteriology, immunology, entomology, and disease ecology?

The purposeful placement of Borrelia (Fig. 1) is most likely in the gut of wild mice (Fig. 2), not domesticated mice nor man. The bacteria are communalistic in wild mice, where they may be probiotic for mutual good (Fig. 2)—the Creator made it for good at its rightful pace. But when Borrelia is displaced and outside of wild mice (also called zoonotic spillover), it can cause disease in other animals, from lab mice to dogs to mankind. In a fallen world, it can enter a complex and intricate life cycle (Fig. 3): ticks, mice, deer, dogs, and man. When displaced in men or lab mice, Borrelia can cause significant diseases and become consequential pathogens. Borrelia in the bone causes arthritis, rash, heart problems, and even death. It can also be a persistent pathogen causing chronic disease.

Human, animal, and environmental health are intricately interwoven, inextricably interrelated, and providentially designed. All life on earth is connected by the Creator’s plan. Secular scientists, including those at the CDC, recognize the connection within the biosphere and call it “One Health,” though they do not acknowledge the Creator and a biblical view of the age of the earth and the created rather than evolved design. But we can agree that all three interacting components are connected and that good stewardship recognizes the connectivity of all. The reasoning is that microorganisms (and parasites) circulate among human hosts, animal hosts, and environmental reservoirs. Changes in the environment can lead to the new transmission of pathogens to animals and humans. It might be helpful to visualize three overlapping spheres. A change in any of one of the spheres influences the others as it happens continuously. The mixing of microbes in different animal hosts (displacement) and under different environmental conditions can lead to the adaptation of potentially new pathogens and parasites.

Today, the One Health and original design appear to be “broken.” Ticks may have once been scavengers, but they now can be deadly parasites and vectors of disease. They are increasingly common, and tick-borne diseases are emerging and popping up everywhere this summer. HHS and CDC report that more that there are an estimated 476,000 cases of Lyme disease each year, and the federal government is stepping up action in preventing it (HHS Press, May 29, 2026).

Figure 1+
Figure 1. Borrelia burgdorferi Under Dark-Field Microscope (400x Magnification). The microbe that causes Lyme disease is a thin, corkscrew-shaped spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Nymph ticks pick up the bacteria while feeding on infected white-footed mice and later transmit it to humans. Due to the thin diameter of the organism, unstained samples best be visualized using dark-field or phase-contrast techniques (CDC Image 6631).

Lyme Disease in the News
According to the CDC (2026), cases of Lyme disease are on the rise; emergency rooms across the world are encountering more infected patients, with the nation suffering the most emergency visits for tick-borne infections since 2017. Furthermore, this data does not even consider visits to urgent care facilities or people who choose not to pursue treatment, especially in emergency rooms. Cases of Lyme span all throughout the US, spiking throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and even the deep South and West Coast. Overall, the percentage of tick bites across the nation is up more than 25% in April 2026 when compared to the previous year (Baumgarth and Hart 2026).

Recent data shows a significant spike in local prevalence. For example, in my (senior author) home (birth) state, Pennsylvania has the highest incidence of Lyme disease, as does much of the Northeast. The number of cases is rising locally in central Virginia and so is awareness of Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome (Milhorne et al. 2026).

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https://founding.com/founders-library/american-political-figures/thomas-jefferson/letter-to-henry-lee/

But with respect to our rights, and the acts of the British government contravening those rights, there was but one opinion on this side of the water. All American whigs thought alike on these subjects. When forced, therefore, to resort to arms for redress, an appeal to the tribunal of the world was deemed proper for our justification. This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion. All its authority rests then on the harmonizing sentiments of the day, whether expressed in conversation, in letters, printed essays, or in the elementary books of public right, as Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, Sidney, &c. The historical documents which you mention as in your possession, ought all to be found, and I am persuaded you will find, to be corroborative of the facts and principles advanced in that Declaration.

Note that he uses "wise" in the old English sense of "educated."

https://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/default.xqy?keys=FOEA-print-04-02-02-4451

I am no believer in the amalgamation of parties, nor do I consider it as either desirable or useful for the public; but only that, like religious differences, a difference in politics should never be permitted to enter into social intercourse, or to disturb its friendships, its charities or justice. in that form, they are censors of the conduct of each other, and useful watchmen for the public. men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties. 1. those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2dly those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them cherish and consider them as the most honest & safe, altho’ not the most wise depository of the public interests. in every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. call them therefore liberals and serviles, Jacobins and Ultras, whigs and tories, republicans and federalists, aristocrats and democrats or by whatever name you please; they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. the last appellation of artistocrats and democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-outbreaks

• Case counts reflect all cases of cyclosporiasis reported during the outbreak investigation period and may change as additional information becomes available.
• Case counts reflect data reported through 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
• Total case counts are updated daily, Monday through Friday, by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
• Hospitalization status and detailed outbreak data are updated weekly on Thursdays.

At the low end of the PPACA individual market, Priority Health requested 11.1%.  At the high end of the PPACA individual market, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc. requested 25.5%.  The average request of the ten insurers was 14.2%.

At the low end of the small group market, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company requested 7.0%.  At the high end of the small group market, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc. requested 14.8%.  The average request of the eight insurers was 9.6%.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland expects overall inflation in America to be 2.39% during the next 12 months and 2.44% over the next 24 months.

Michigan health care insurance premium inflation is now running four to six times the general rate of national inflation:

https://www.michigan.gov/difs/-/media/Project/Websites/difs/OIRF/EHB/PDFs/2027_Proposed_Rate_Changes.pdf

https://www.clevelandfed.org/-/media/files/webcharts/inflationexpectations/inflation-expectations.xlsx?sc_lang=en&hash=C27818913D96CEDD80E3136B9946CFA7

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/17/care-closer-to-home-gfo

MDHHS seeks applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program Improving Care Delivery and Access through Transportation

By Laina Stebbins - July 17, 2026

• Strengthening partnerships that support rural health transformation.
• Expanding and stabilizing the workforce needed to sustain community wellness.
• Advancing interoperability so providers can share information and coordinate care effectively.
• Developing models that bring essential services closer to where people live.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/17/rht-chronic-disease

MDHHS seeks applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program Chronic Disease Collaborative Care Fund
By Laina Stebbins - July 17, 2026

• Strengthening partnerships that support rural health transformation.
• Expanding and stabilizing the workforce needed to sustain community wellness.
• Advancing interoperability so providers can share information and coordinate care effectively.
• Developing models that bring essential services closer to where people live.

https://nypost.com/2026/07/17/business/taco-bell-faces-first-lawsuits-over-diarrhea-causing-contaminated-lettuce/

Taco Bell faces first lawsuits over diarrhea-causing contaminated lettuce
By Lisa Fickenscher - July 17, 2026,

An Ohio man and a Michigan couple who recently ate at Taco Bell are among the first victims to sue over the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands and caused explosive diarrhea.

The Ohio man allegedly got sick after three June meals at the eatery, while the Michiganders said they became ill the same month from lettuce at the fast food joint – the ingredient blamed for about 90% of cases of Michigan Taco Bell customers getting sick, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Mohammed Ayyad, a regular customer at a Taco Bell in North Olmsted, Ohio, said his troubles began with orders of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and Avocado Ranch Chicken Stackers he scarfed down over three visits in mid-June.

Days later, he developed a “severe” headache, chills, vomiting and persistent diarrhea that became so debilitating, he was unable to sleep, according to a complaint filed Thursday in Ohio federal court.

Nine days after his symptoms began, Ayyad sought treatment at an urgent care clinic, where he was prescribed Imodium instead of antibiotics, the lawsuit alleges.

By July 9, a stool test confirmed he had contracted the parasite. Ayyad missed two weeks of work, lost income and continues to suffer nausea and other symptoms, according to the complaint.

Taylor Farms said it’s Mexican operation is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico.

The lawsuit names Vancouver, Wash.-based franchisee Pacific Bells LLC, which operates roughly 300 Taco Bell restaurants, as the defendant.

Ayyad’s attorney Bill Marler told The Post he plans to amend the complaint to add Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms, identified by the Washington Post as the provider of the contaminated produce. More cases are in the works, he indicated.

“We have been contacted by more than 30 people and 90% of them ate at Taco Bell,” Marler told The Post.

In a separate lawsuit filed Friday in Michigan federal court, Preston and Marie Parrish alleged they contracted cyclosporiasis after eating at a Taco Bell in Durand, Mich., on June 30. Their complaint names Taco Bell Corp., Taco Bell of America and Taylor Farms as defendants.

Taylor Farms, which supplies Taco Bell with shredded iceberg lettuce, said its bagged lettuce is not associated with the Cyclospora outbreak.

The lawsuit alleges the couple consumed lettuce with fecal contamination.

Both suits are seeking unspecified damages.

Taco Bell declined to discuss the lawsuits. The Post has sought comment about the suits from Taylor Farms. While it’s pulling iceberg lettuce from Mexico, it wrote on social media that its branded salads and kits are not associated with the outbreak.

The lawsuits came as Taco Bell said it was voluntarily removing “potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.” Taylor Farms said it was recalling iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico based on information the FDA’s provided.

Some 1,645 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in 34 states since May 1, with Michigan hit the hardest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with it and Ohio, the CDC has urged customers to avoid lettuce at Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia Taco Bells in particular.

At least 141 people have been hospitalized, with no deaths reported, authorities said.

The number of confirmed cases is expected to rise, with the feds saying they are reviewing over 5,100 additional reports to determine whether they are cyclosporiasis.

https://www.michigandaily.com/news/news-briefs/michigan-medicine-ceo-david-miller-will-depart-post-to-lead-vanderbilt-health/

Michigan Medicine CEO David Miller will depart post to lead Vanderbilt Health
By Glenn Hedin - July 15, 2026

Michigan Medicine CEO David Miller will leave his post at the University of Michigan to become the CEO of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, according to a Michigan Medicine press release posted Wednesday.

Miller has served as Michigan Medicine’s CEO since July 2025 after the resignation of his predecessor Marschall S. Runge, and has been the president of U-M Health since January 2021. He will remain in his post until Dec. 1, 2026, and begin his position at Vanderbilt on Jan. 1, 2027.

Miller’s departure marks the latest episode in a series of leadership shake-ups at the University over the last year, including the University’s ongoing search for a new president, and the resignations of the University’s general counsel and the dean of the College of Engineering. In the press release, University President Domenico Grasso praised Miller for his contributions to the institution.

“David has created a culture of trust, transparency and communication strengthening the entire organization,” Grasso said. “We are deeply grateful for his steadfast leadership, his unwavering commitment to our mission and the countless contributions he has made to our patients, learners, faculty and staff.”

During his tenure, Miller oversaw the construction of the $920 million D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, as well as the resolution of contentious health insurance and union contract negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council, respectively. He also presided over Michigan Medicine’s termination of gender-affirming care for patients under the age of 19, which has sparked significant protest and feelings of betrayal among many community members.

In the press release, Miller thanked Michigan Medicine community members for his time at the hospital system.

“This has been one of the most consequential decisions of my career,” Miller wrote. “Michigan Medicine has been far more than my workplace — it has been my professional home. Leaving a community that I care so deeply about is incredibly difficult. I will always be grateful for the privilege of serving alongside such remarkable and committed team members.”