Michigan records U.S. deaths in cyclosporiasis outbreak

Two people with significant underlying health conditions have died in Michigan from cyclosporiasis, state health officials confirmed on Monday, August 3, 2026. These are the first reported fatalities in the largest U.S. outbreak of the parasitic intestinal illness, which has now spread to nine states and is linked to iceberg lettuce from a farm in central Mexico.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 11,234 outbreak-linked cases as of Monday, an increase of 461 from the previous Friday. The outbreak has resulted in 193 hospitalizations within the state. Wayne County has seen the highest number of infections, with 1,379 cases, and adults aged 30 to 39 have been the hardest-hit demographic, accounting for 2,216 reported cases. Officials stated that both individuals who died had health conditions that may have been worsened by cyclosporiasis and dehydration.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 28, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases under investigation. The agency notes that case counts from state health departments are often higher because they...