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Michigan Reports First U.S. Deaths in Widespread Cyclospora Outbreak

The deaths heighten urgency because investigators face complex produce supply chains and public‑health lab backlogs that are slowing confirmation of the outbreak’s full sources.

Overview

  • Michigan health officials said Monday that two people with significant underlying conditions have died and that the state has recorded 11,234 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases and 193 hospitalizations.
  • Federal and state teams have epidemiologically linked at least one multistate cluster to shredded or iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in central Mexico and the company issued a voluntary recall of the product.
  • The CDC reports 6,707 laboratory‑confirmed U.S. cases as of late July and about 11,500 more suspected or probable cases are under review, producing a season total of roughly 18,000 reports while agencies warn that reporting lags persist.
  • Cyclospora causes prolonged watery diarrhea that can lead to dehydration and is treated with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim); diagnosis requires specialized stool testing that many labs are backlogged for.
  • Public‑health guidance urges consumers to prefer whole heads of lettuce over prewashed mixes, discard outer leaves, wash inner leaves, and cook greens to 158°F when possible while investigators continue multiple tracebacks.