US announces first two deaths from cyclospora outbreak

What the report says

Michigan health officials have confirmed the first two deaths linked to a cyclospora outbreak in the United States, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on state and federal information. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both people had significant underlying health conditions and had experienced intestinal illness and dehydration. The state noted that the deaths were reported in Michigan, while US health authorities said they were aware of the situation.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness marked by watery diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Public health agencies generally say it is more common in warmer months and is rarely fatal, which makes the Michigan deaths notable as the first fatal cases tied to this outbreak. Wade Syers of Michigan State University Extension told Reuters that identifying the contamination source remains important to prevent more illnesses.

Federal authorities have linked the outbreak to lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five states, while also continuing to look for other possible sources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak had produced 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide as of July 28, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases still under review. Michigan alone had reported 11,234 outbreak-linked cases and 193 hospitalizations in the latest figures cited in the report.