Two people in Michigan have died from cyclosporiasis, state health officials announced on Aug. 3. They are the first reported deaths from a record Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people across the U.S.
“The reported deaths are a sobering reminder that cyclosporiasis is usually not life-threatening, but it can become very serious in vulnerable individuals,” says Rodney E. Rohde, chair of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University.
The two people who died had “significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration,” according to an update on the Michigan health department’s website. The health department said it wouldn’t provide additional information on the two cases.
The U.S. is experiencing the largest Cyclospora outbreak in its recorded history, with more than 18,000 cases confirmed or suspected across 45 states since May 1, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Michigan, which has been particularly hard-hit by the pathogen, is at the center of a multi-state spate of cases linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. More than 11,200 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the state since June 22, and more than 190 people have been hospitalized, according to Michigan officials.
Cyclospora is a parasite that spreads through human feces, typically via contaminated food and water. It can cause frequent, watery, and explosive diarrhea that can last days or weeks. More than 400 people have been hospitalized from cyclosporiasis across the country since the outbreak began, according to the CDC. Deaths from the parasite are uncommon in the U.S., food-safety experts say.
“While most people recover from cyclosporiasis, individuals with underlying medical conditions or those in higher-risk groups may be more susceptible to serious complications, especially if prolonged diarrhea results in dehydration,” says Wade Syers, a food-safety specialist at Michigan State University Extension. “Anyone experiencing persistent diarrhea, signs of dehydration, or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention, particularly if they are in a higher-risk group.”
People who are elderly or have weakened immune systems, including people who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have advanced HIV, are at greater risk of cyclosporiasis complications, says Rohde. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, along with aggressive fluid replacement when needed, can significantly reduce the risks of complications, he says.
To reduce potential exposure to Cyclospora, food-safety experts recommend buying intact heads of lettuce and whole fruits and vegetables over bagged, boxed, or pre-cut produce. They also advise people to wash produce thoroughly under running water and follow other food-safety best practices, such as keeping raw meat and vegetables separate when preparing and cooking food. Cooking food to an internal temperature of at least 158°F can kill Cyclospora.
Rohde says people should follow food-safety guidance to keep themselves safe from foodborne illnesses, but for most healthy people, “these deaths should increase awareness, not panic,” he says.
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