Cyclospora outbreak tied to two deaths as the parasite-borne illness continues to rage
Scientific American · LC · trust 45/100
The deaths were reported by Michigan state, which has seen more than 11,000 cases of the disease emerge since late June
Two people have died in connection with the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened tens of thousands of people across the U.S. this summer.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the deaths; both people had “significant underlying health conditions,” according to officials, which may have been exacerbated by the diarrhea-causing parasitic infection and ensuing dehydration.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) confirmed on its website that it is aware of the deaths but offered no further information. More than 11,000 cases have been reported in the state since June 22, when tracking began. Many of these have not been laboratory confirmed, according to the CDC, which currently tallies 6,707 confirmed cases across 42 states.
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Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite; it is transmitted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces carrying the organism. Infections are not typically fatal, but some people, such as those with weakened immune systems, the elderly and young children are at higher risk of complications, primarily due to severe dehydration, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That's because the illness can cause explosive, watery diarrhea that can persist for up to a month. And symptoms can take up to two weeks after consuming the parasite to show up. Food safety experts say that washing lettuce or other fresh produce is not enough to protect against the parasite—you need to cook your food to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill it.
The current outbreak has previously been linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico’s Taylor Farms, however officials haven't ruled out additional sources of the infection. Without knowing precisely which products are causing the outbreak, it makes it harder to contain. Researchers told Scientific American that seasonal cases tend to decline in August, however the number of infections this summer has far exceeded the normal seasonal load, Natash Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, said. As of now, it is unclear when this will end .
Adam Kovac is a breaking news reporter at Scientific American .
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