Two people have died in Michigan from cyclosporiasis, state health officials confirmed Monday, marking the first known fatalities in what has become the largest US outbreak of the intestinal illness.
Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by the parasitic infection and resulting dehydration, according to their medical records. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said it would not release further details about the deaths.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite spread through food or water contaminated with feces. Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue, and can persist for weeks if left untreated.
The infection is generally treated with antibiotics, and most otherwise healthy patients recover fully. However, dehydration and prolonged illness can pose serious risks to people with compromised immune systems or existing medical conditions.
Health authorities have been tracking the outbreak as case numbers climbed across multiple states in recent months. The scale of the current wave has prompted renewed scrutiny of the food supply chain, with some experts pointing to the consolidation of fresh produce sourcing as a factor that can amplify contamination events.
The illness has also touched the wider food industry, with the outbreak clouding the outlook for major restaurant operators during recent earnings updates.
Officials continue to advise consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly, though washing alone may not fully eliminate the parasite from contaminated food. Anyone experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms is urged to seek medical care and request testing, as cyclosporiasis is not detected by standard stool examinations.
The Michigan health department said it would keep monitoring the situation and coordinating with federal authorities as investigators work to identify the source of the contamination and prevent further cases.