US reports first deaths linked to Cyclospora outbreak as infections continue to rise

US health officials have confirmed the first two deaths linked to the country’s ongoing Cyclospora outbreak, marking the first recorded fatalities associated with the parasitic infection in the United States.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that were affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration caused by the illness. Officials have not released further details about the patients.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that spreads through food or water contaminated with human faeces. Infection, known as cyclosporiasis, commonly causes prolonged watery diarrhoea, which can include frequent and sometimes “explosive” bowel movements, alongside stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. The illness is rarely fatal in otherwise healthy people and is usually treatable with antibiotics.

Michigan has been the hardest-hit state during the outbreak, with more than 11,000 reported cases and almost 200 hospitalisations. Nationally, health authorities are investigating more than 20,000 confirmed and suspected cases, making this one of the largest Cyclospora outbreaks recorded in the US.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have linked part of the outbreak to contaminated iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants across nine states. However, investigators believe additional food sources may also be contributing to the wider outbreak, and enquiries remain ongoing.

The UK Health Security Agency has also advised travellers returning from Mexico to take food and water hygiene precautions following an increase in travel-associated Cyclospora infections. Symptoms can develop several days after exposure and may persist for weeks if left untreated.

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