State health officials in Michigan announced that two people have died from cyclospora infections, marking the first confirmed deaths in the United States linked to the microscopic parasite.
Cyclospora Outbreak
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both individuals had underlying health conditions that may have been aggravated by the intestinal illness and resulting dehydration. Cyclospora contaminates food that comes into contact with human feces, typically when crops are irrigated or washed with contaminated water.
Federal health officials have traced part of the outbreak to lettuce grown in Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations across five states. The nationwide outbreak has reached record levels this year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logging more than 4,100 confirmed cases and investigating over 7,400 suspected cases across 41 states.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
