Michigan health officials have confirmed the first two deaths linked to the cyclospora outbreak, a foodborne parasite infection that can trigger severe diarrhoea and has now spread across much of the country. The cyclospora outbreak has become the focal point of a widening public health scare, with state and federal officials watching case counts climb.
State authorities said the two people who died had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. Michigan’s health department did not release any further details about the deaths. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said deaths from cyclosporiasis are uncommon and that the illness is not usually life-threatening.
Nationwide, the outbreak has reached 45 states, with nearly 7,000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported, according to the CDC. Michigan sits at the center of the outbreak, and state records show more than 11,000 cases and 193 hospitalisations, though many of those cases have not been confirmed in a laboratory. That gap between confirmed national totals and Michigan’s broader records shows how quickly the outbreak has spread and how hard it can be to pin down its full reach in real time.
Cyclospora is a heat-loving parasite that infects the intestines and spreads through contaminated food or water. Officials say past outbreaks have followed the consumption of fruits or vegetables irrigated with water contaminated by faeces. The CDC advises washing all produce under running water, including items labeled pre-washed, while also noting that washing alone may not fully remove the parasite. Cooking produce to at least 70°C, or 158°F, can kill it, the agency says.
