US reports first two deaths in cyclosporiasis outbreak
The foodborne outbreak has spread to nine states, with US health authorities investigating iceberg lettuce and other possible sources of infection.
Two people have died in the first reported fatalities linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States, with Michigan health department saying both had underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the illness.
Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, is generally not life-threatening.
Michigan health officials yesterday (3 August) said both people who died had underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the illness and dehydration.
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An investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak, which has spread to nine states, to iceberg lettuce supplied by privately held Taylor Farms' operations in central Mexico and served at Taco Bell.
The lettuce has since been recalled, although authorities are continuing to investigate other possible sources of the outbreak.
Epidemiologists suspect there may be multiple outbreaks, and it was not immediately clear whether the two deaths were linked to the recalled lettuce served at Taco Bell or another source yet to be identified.
The number of cyclosporiasis cases in the United States has reached a record high this year, with the current outbreak among the country's largest foodborne disease outbreaks in recent history.
The outbreak has also affected consumer confidence, reducing lettuce sales and customer visits to restaurant chains including Sweetgreen and Chipotle.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose surveillance data typically lags behind state reporting by several weeks, had recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide as of 28 July, along with more than 11,500 probable cases awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Michigan remains the worst-affected state, reporting 11,234 cases as of yesterday, up 461 from 31 July. A total of 193 people have been hospitalised, according to the state's health department.
Michigan health officials said the large number of infections, reporting gaps and patients' difficulty recalling what they had eaten have complicated efforts to identify foods, beyond the recalled Taylor Farms lettuce, that may have contributed to the outbreak.
