Two people have died in the U.S. state of Michigan in connection with an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite, local authorities said Monday, confirming the first deaths linked to this nationwide outbreak, according to DPA, as reported by Agerpres.
“According to medical records, both individuals had preexisting medical conditions that may have exacerbated the cyclosporiasis and dehydration,” the Michigan Department of Health said in a statement.
No further information will be provided about these two cases, the statement added.
At the same time, authorities emphasized that cyclosporiasis is generally not a life-threatening condition.
“Deaths from cyclosporiasis are rare in the United States,” the statement added.
In recent weeks, there has been a sharp increase in the number of cyclosporiasis cases across the United States.
According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6,707 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported from early May through the end of July, with 423 people hospitalized.
Cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in nearly every state.
Authorities suspect that iceberg lettuce is to blame.
The cause of the outbreak remains unclear. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) linked the surge in infections to finely chopped iceberg lettuce from a supplier in Mexico, although laboratory tests have not confirmed this hypothesis.
A sample from Taylor Farms in Mexico tested false positive for the Cyclospora parasite, and the agency later apologized, according to the company.
However, subsequent FDA investigations continued to point to pre-cut iceberg lettuce as the source of the outbreak, the agency stated in mid-July, adding that it would continue its investigations and ensure that the affected products were removed from stores.
The Cyclospora parasite is not typically transmitted from person to person, but rather through food and water contaminated with feces, according to the CDC.
It infects the small intestine and causes watery diarrhea, which can sometimes be severe. Cyclosporiasis outbreaks occur mainly during the summer.
source – AGERPRES
