Michigan reports two deaths in cyclosporiasis outbreak

BREAKING NEWSAug. 3, 2026, 4:15 PM UTCHealth newsHealth newsMichigan reports two deaths in cyclosporiasis outbreakMore than 11,000 cases of the foodborne illness have been confirmed in the state and 193 people have been hospitalized since early May.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleMichigan reports two deaths linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak02:52Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Berkeley Lovelace Jr.Two people in Michigan have died after contracting cyclosporiasis, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday.Both people — whose identities were not provided by the state — 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 diseases specialist at the 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, Schaffner said. Schaffner added he’s curious how old the patients were because the immune system weakens as people age.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,” the health department 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 B...