Two people have died in Michigan after becoming ill during the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, marking the first confirmed US deaths associated with the microscopic parasite, according to state health officials.
Cyclospora Outbreak Details
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that both people had underlying health conditions that may have been affected by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The department did not release additional information.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms commonly include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. The illness is rarely fatal.
The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with feces. In previous outbreaks, infections have been linked to fresh produce exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Federal health officials have identified lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants in nine states as one source of the outbreak. As of late July, the CDC had linked 1,947 cases to the lettuce, including at least 98 hospitalizations.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
