For the first time since the outbreaks started in the spring, authorities in Michigan announced on August 3 that two deaths have been connected to the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the state.
On March 25, 2020, a farmer in a Los Angeles backyard urban farm washes lettuce. “Two deaths have been identified as part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Michigan,” stated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “According to medical records, both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. We will not be disclosing any further details on these two cases.
When contacted for comment, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took some time to react.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported no fatalities from cyclosporiasis in their most recent update on July 28.
According to the CDC, 6,707 domestically acquired cases have been reported by 45 states since May 1. The ages of the patients ranged from 1 to 98, and the median disease onset date was July 2.
Additional testing or investigation is required for over 11,000 additional cases. If a case occurs while traveling abroad, the CDC is not recording it.
According to federal authorities, eight other states have also been affected by the outbreak that has hit Michigan in July. It is thought that the outbreak was caused by iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico.
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Oklahoma are the other states.
There have been 11,234 cases in Michigan in the past few months, with 193 of those requiring hospitalization.
The number of cases in Indiana is 1,285 []. There were 461 cases and 20 hospitalizations reported in Kansas. Ohio has reported approximately 20,000 cases. There have been 298 confirmed cases and 18 hospitalizations in Oklahoma, while 268 cases and 19 hospitalizations have been reported in West Virginia.
The parasite Cyclospora is responsible for the disease cyclosporiasis, which can be found in tainted food. Raspberries, cilantro, and salad greens are among the fruits and vegetables that have previously caused epidemics.
The most common sign of the illness is loose stools. Abdominal pain and vomiting are among the other possible symptoms.
