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Michigan Reports First Two Cyclosporiasis Deaths in Outbreak
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In Short: Two people in Michigan have died from the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the first deaths confirmed in the U.S. related to the parasite, according to state health officials.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the first two deaths from the current cyclosporiasis outbreak, caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora cayetanensis. Both individuals had underlying health conditions that may have been exacerbated by the illness and dehydration, though the department did not provide further details about the cases.
Cyclospora, a parasite that causes watery diarrhea and is rarely deadly, has been linked to the outbreak. Dr. Joel Kammeyer, an infectious diseases expert, described the deaths as a 'tragedy' but noted that despite thousands of cases, only two people have died from the illness in the U.S.
The CDC has identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states as a source of the outbreak, with federal health officials warning that other brands or distribution channels could also be involved. The current surge has seen over 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases, with the most reported cases in 2019, reaching about 4,700.
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. The illness is typically treated easily, especially for those without underlying health conditions, according to Dr. Kammeyer.
Background
Michigan is a peninsular state in the Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, Indiana and Illinois to the southwest, Ohio to the southeast, and the Canadian province of Ontario to the east, northeast and north.
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- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both people had underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the intestinal illness and dehydration.
- The department said it would not provide additional information about the deaths.
- Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The CDC says the illness, called cyclosporiasis, is rarely deadly.
- Two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan, state health officials announced Monday, the first deaths confirmed in the U.S. related to the microscopic parasite.
- Dr. Joel Kammeyer, the division chief of infectious diseases at Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, called the deaths a “tragedy” but noted that despite thousands of cyclosporiasis cases, only two…
- “For someone who comes into an urgent care and cyclosporiasis is their only issue, it’s relatively easy to treat,” Kammeyer said.
- Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source and, for years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported.