First deaths linked to cyclospora outbreak as Canadian officials see increased cases
· Toronto Sun
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Health officials in Michigan have confirmed the first two deaths related to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak in the United States.
The parasitic infection spread through contaminated food or water can cause severe diarrhea.
The deaths come as both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigate the parasite they’ve linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce across nearly the entire country.
The two individuals who died had “significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration,” state health authorities said .
No further details on the deceased were provided by Michigan’s health department.
Outbreak has spread to 45 states
While the outbreak has infected thousands of people — spreading to 45 states with more than 6,700 laboratory-confirmed cases reported, according to the CDC , the health agency says deaths from cyclosporiasis are far from common as it is “not usually life-threatening.”
Michigan has become a hotbed for the foodborne illness, with records showing more than 11,000 cases and 193 hospitalizations, though many have not been laboratory-confirmed.
What officials in Ontario are reporting
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is urging residents to take precautions when travelling to Michigan, given the significant increase in cyclosporiasis cases.
As of Friday, Windsor-Essex had identified 24 cases of cyclosporiasis this year (whereas in a typical year, the region averages only around three cases).
“While the risk to the general public remains relatively low, the number of cases we are seeing in Windsor-Essex is higher than expected and appears to be associated with travel to Michigan,” Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said in a news release .
“Residents planning to travel across the border should be aware of the ongoing outbreak and take extra precautions when consuming fresh produce, particularly lettuce and salad greens.”
What to know about cyclosporiasis
The intestinal illness is caused by the heat-loving cyclospora parasite.
The most common symptoms associated with the illness are frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Some people may also experience body aches, headache, a low-grade fever or vomiting.
Symptoms typically develop about one week after exposure, and remain from about two days to two weeks or longer.
FDA officials previously identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states as a source of the widespread outbreak.
Taco Bell responded by removing the affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants nationwide, while Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce supplied from central Mexico.
As of late July, the number of cases linked to the lettuce was 1,947, including at least 98 people who had to be hospitalized, according to the CDC.
The agency has said other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be linked to the outbreak as the investigation continues.