2 Dead in Michigan Cyclosporiasis Outbreak as Cases Top 11,000

Michigan has reported the first two deaths connected to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, state health officials said Monday.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both individuals had “significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration.” The department said it will not release any further details about the deaths.

The fatalities come as the number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan has climbed past 11,000, reaching 11,234 infections, including 193 hospitalizations, according to MDHHS data. Federal health officials have linked illnesses in Michigan and eight other states to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations.

Taylor Farms, which supplied the lettuce, has issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Health officials are urging consumers to either discard any iceberg lettuce they may have or return it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website that it “is aware of two cyclosporiasis-related deaths in people with underlying health conditions from Michigan as part of this outbreak. CDC will update its website to include laboratory confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”