Two People Died After Getting Sick With Cyclosporiasis, Marking the First Known Deaths Linked to the Ongoing Multi-State Outbreak

Two Michigan residents succumbed to cyclosporiasis, marking the first known deaths linked to the ongoing multi-state outbreak. This marks the first instance of fatalities associated with the parasite-caused infection in the United States, according to foodborne disease epidemiologist John Guzewich. Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness, is typically not life-threatening, but the deceased individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have exacerbated the illness.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach problems. The infection is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which spreads through feces-contaminated food or water. Most people recover with antibiotics, although the illness can be challenging to diagnose with standard stool sample tests.

This year, the outbreak has surpassed 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases reported between May and July, making it the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak on record. Michigan, the epicenter of the outbreak, has documented over 11,500 cases, with at least 193 hospitalizations. However, the true extent of the outbreak may be higher due to underreporting.

Many cases have been traced back to iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, which has since been recalled. Despite this, experts suspect that other foods may have also contributed to the outbreak due to the difficulty in pinpointing specific sources. Cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the past have commonly been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro, and salad mixes.

While the number of new cases in Michigan has been declining, the overall situation remains uncertain, especially regarding the rest of the country.