Michigan reports two deaths in cyclosporiasis outbreak

Two people in Michigan who had contracted cyclosporiasis have died, the state Health and Human Services Department said Monday .

Both people — whose identities were not provided — had “significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration,” according to a news release.

Cyclospora, the parasite found in human feces that causes cyclosporiasis, can lead to dehydration because of the loss of fluid through severe diarrhea and vomiting, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The illness is often treated with Bactrim, an antibiotic, although many people with healthy immune systems often recover on their own, he said.

State health officials said no additional information will be provided on the two cases.

“Cyclosporiasis is generally not a life-threatening illness. Death resulting from cyclosporiasis is uncommon in the United States,” it said in the release.

The deaths come amid an unusually severe cyclosporiasis season with cases reported in 45 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

More than 11,000 cases of the foodborne illness have been confirmed in Michigan and 193 people have been hospitalized since early May, according to the state health department.

The outbreaks in Michigan and nine other states have been linked to lettuce at Taco Bell that was supplied by Taylor Farms and sourced from central Mexico. Last month, Taylor Farms de Mexico issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce supplied from central Mexico.