Michigan health officials confirmed on Monday the first two deaths linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting nine states, marking the first fatalities associated with the foodborne parasite as federal and state investigators continue working to identify the full scope of the outbreak.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said that both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. Officials did not release additional information about the patients.
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The department emphasized that cyclosporiasis is not generally considered life-threatening and that deaths from the illness are uncommon in the United States.
Michigan has reported 11,234 outbreak-related cases and 193 hospitalizations as of July 30, making it the hardest hit state in the outbreak. State officials said case totals continue to be updated as investigators receive additional reports.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the deaths on Monday, saying it will update its national outbreak statistics to reflect the fatalities. The agency is investigating a multistate outbreak linked to recalled lettuce sourced from central Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms. The CDC has urged consumers not to eat recalled lettuce and to discard or return affected products.
According to CDC data, at least 1,947 people have been sickened in the nine-state outbreak, including 98 who were hospitalized.
Federal investigators have linked one major outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in multiple states, though the CDC has said it is also investigating other cyclosporiasis outbreaks nationwide that may be unrelated to the lettuce recall.
WHAT IS CYCLOSPORIASIS, AND WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST-RISK STATES?
The outbreak includes Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia has and has caused consumers to avoid produce, as a recent poll found that 40% of respondents are purchasing and eating less produce.
Cyclosporiasis is an infection in the intestines that is often contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with human feces infected by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. The symptoms of the disease include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, nausea, and fatigue. Outbreaks in the past have been tied to imported produce such as raspberries, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, snow peas, and basil, according to the CDC.
