Michigan has confirmed two fatalities linked to a Cyclospora outbreak, marking the first deaths associated with this parasitic infection in the state and the first documented deaths from any active Cyclospora outbreak across the United States. The outbreak has impacted more than 11,000 residents in Michigan since early May, with 193 individuals requiring hospitalization for cyclosporiasis.
Health officials have traced the infections to contaminated iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico. The parasite enters the body through consumption of contaminated food or water. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented more than 6,700 cases of cyclosporiasis acquired within the country in recent months, though not all have been connected to a specific source.
According to Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services, both deceased individuals had underlying health conditions that may have been exacerbated by the infection and resulting dehydration. Cyclosporiasis typically causes loss of appetite, fatigue, low-grade fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. While antibiotic treatment can effectively halt the parasite’s reproduction, untreated cases may persist for over a month. Severe dehydration from prolonged symptoms can lead to serious complications including kidney failure and shock.
Health authorities emphasized that deaths from cyclosporiasis remain uncommon in the United States, with no deaths documented during a five-year period between 2011 and 2015 despite thousands of reported cases. Vulnerable populations, including young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons, face elevated risk for severe infections.
Originally reported by Livescience →
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