US announces first two deaths from cyclospora outbreak
✓Authorities in the Midwestern state of Michigan say that two people who died had underlying conditions.
Authorities in the US state of Michigan say that they have confirmed the deaths of two people in a cyclospora outbreak, the first fatal cases of a disease related to the microscopic parasite recorded in the United States.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that both individuals had significant underlying health conditions and had been affected by intestinal illness and dehydration.
“This development highlights the importance of identifying the source of the outbreak and preventing additional illnesses,” Wade Syers, food safety specialist at Michigan State University Extension, told the Reuters news agency.
The US Department of Health and Human Services said that it was aware of the reports in Michigan, and the state agency told Reuters that there were no updates on the investigation.
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhoea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.
The CDC says the illness it causes, called cyclosporiasis, is rarely deadly.
Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, nausea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Lettuce from Mexico served at the fast-food chain Taco Bell in five states has been identified as the source of the outbreak by federal authorities, which continue to search for additional possible sources.
Nationwide, the CDC has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 28, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases still awaiting confirmation or further investigation.
Michigan health authorities said on Monday that the Midwestern state has recorded 11,234 outbreak-linked cases, up from 461 announced during an update on Friday. The health department has said the outbreak has resulted in 193 hospitalisations.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Axios ↗
The US has recorded its first deaths linked to cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness. Michigan health authorities confirmed two fatalities on Monday; both individuals had pre-existing health conditions and experienced severe dehydration. The nationwide outbreak has affected thousands: the CDC documented 6,707 confirmed cases as of late July, with an additional 11,500 suspected cases under investigation. Michigan accounts for the majority, with over 11,200 cases and 193 hospitalisations. Federal authorities traced a source to contaminated lettuce from Mexico distributed through Taco Bell in five states, though investigation into other possible sources continues. Cyclospora typically causes severe diarrhoea and gastrointestinal symptoms; health experts note such infections are rarely fatal and emphasise the importance of identifying all contamination sources.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Axios ↗
Authorities in the Midwestern state of Michigan say that two people who died had underlying conditions.
Authorities in the US state of Michigan say that they have confirmed the deaths of two people in a cyclospora outbreak, the first fatal cases of a disease related to the microscopic parasite recorded in the United States.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that both individuals had significant underlying health conditions and had been affected by intestinal illness and dehydration.
“This development highlights the importance of identifying the source of the outbreak and preventing additional illnesses,” Wade Syers, food safety specialist at Michigan State University Extension, told the Reuters news agency.
The US Department of Health and Human Services said that it was aware of the reports in Michigan, and the state agency told Reuters that there were no updates on the investigation.
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhoea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.
The CDC says the illness it causes, called cyclosporiasis, is rarely deadly.
Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, nausea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Lettuce from Mexico served at the fast-food chain Taco Bell in five states has been identified as the source of the outbreak by federal authorities, which continue to search for additional possible sources.
Nationwide, the CDC has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 28, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases still awaiting confirmation or further investigation.
Michigan health authorities said on Monday that the Midwestern state has recorded 11,234 outbreak-linked cases, up from 461 announced during an update on Friday. The health department has said the outbreak has resulted in 193 hospitalisations.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Axios ↗
Two people have died in Michigan from cyclospora infection, marking the first recorded fatalities from this parasite in the United States Both deceased individuals had significant underlying health conditions The CDC has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 28, with over 11,500 additional suspected cases awaiting confirmation Michigan has recorded 11,234 outbreak-linked cases and 193 hospitalisations Contaminated lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in five states has been identified as a source of the outbreak Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes severe watery diarrhoea and gastrointestinal symptoms The illness caused by cyclospora is rarely deadly Outbreaks of cyclospora tend to occur most often in late spring and summer This development highlights the importance of identifying the source of the outbreak and preventing additional illnesses
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Axios ↗
- Two deaths confirmed in Michigan from cyclospora outbreak, the first fatalities from this parasite recorded in the US
- Both deceased individuals had significant underlying health conditions
- CDC has confirmed 6,707 laboratory cases nationwide as of July 28, with over 11,500 suspected cases pending confirmation
- Contaminated lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations identified as outbreak source
- Michigan alone has reported 11,234 outbreak-linked cases and 193 hospitalisations