Two Deaths in Michigan Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak

Two individuals in Michigan have died from illness linked to a cyclospora outbreak, state health officials confirmed on Monday. These are the first deaths in the U.S. attributed to the microscopic parasite, commonly known to cause intestinal illness. Health officials stated both deceased individuals had pre-existing health conditions that may have been exacerbated by the infection.

Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines and typically causes watery diarrhea. Outbreaks often occur during late spring and summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cyclosporiasis is rarely fatal. Transmission commonly occurs through the consumption of contaminated food or water, with past outbreaks linked to produce irrigated with contaminated water.

The illness is less common than other foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, and many cases go unlinked to a specific source. However, the incidence of reported cases has increased over the past decade, with significant spikes noted in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, approximately 4,700 cases were reported nationally.

As of early May, the CDC has recorded over 4,100 confirmed cases across 41 states, with more than 7,400 additional potential cases under investigation. Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states as a source of the widespread outbreak. This specific food source was linked to 1,947 cases as of late July, resulting in 98 hospitalizations.