Two Michigan Residents Die Amid Large Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Michigan health authorities reported Monday that two residents have died in connection with the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak. The department said medical records show both individuals had serious underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the infection and dehydration, and no further details will be released.

The state has recorded 11,234 cyclosporiasis cases, including 193 hospitalizations. The parasite, which can contaminate fresh produce or water, typically causes diarrhea but is not usually life-threatening, according to the health department.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that cyclosporiasis cases rise in the spring and summer, with the season running from May through August. This year, the CDC has identified more than 18,000 domestic cases, of which 6,707 are confirmed and about 11,500 remain under laboratory review. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, and state partners are investigating multiple clusters, including a large multistate outbreak centered in the Midwest.