Two Michigan residents have died from cyclosporiasis, state health officials confirmed Monday, August 3, as Oakland County's confirmed case count holds above 1,000 and the statewide outbreak continues to accelerate.
The deaths are the first fatalities in the nation linked to the parasite outbreak. Statewide, cases reached 11,234 on Monday, more than doubling from roughly 5,000 two weeks earlier. Michigan typically records about 50 cyclosporiasis cases in an entire year.
Oakland County's count stands at 1,043 as of the most recent county-level data from July 30. As we reported that day, the county had just crossed the 1,000-case threshold. As of July 30, 193 residents statewide had been hospitalized.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both individuals who died had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The department declined to release their ages, counties of residence, or specific conditions. The FDA noted both became ill before Taylor Farms de Mexico issued its July 17 voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
What residents should do
MDHHS and the FDA have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as the probable source, though officials say other produce items cannot be completely ruled out. The recalled lettuce was distributed to consumers, restaurants, and retailers in at least 27 states, including Michigan.
The state health department recommends residents:
- Buy whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits
- Discard the outer two to three layers of leaves
- Wash remaining inner leaves thoroughly under clean running water
- Cook greens to at least 158°F when possible, since the parasite resists routine chemical disinfection
MDHHS also advises residents dining out to ask how kitchens are handling lettuce and salad greens.
Outbreak by the numbers
Metro Detroit accounts for 2,950 of the state's cases: Wayne County (excluding Detroit) leads with 1,379, followed by Oakland County at 1,043, Macomb County at 282, and Detroit at 246. The hardest-hit age group statewide is residents ages 30–39, with 2,216 cases.
Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 6,707 cases across 45 states, with another 11,500 potential cases under investigation. Michigan remains the hardest-hit state by both total cases and cases per capita, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Staffing strain and what's next
The outbreak isn't slowing. The Cyclospora season typically runs through August, and the CDC expects illnesses to keep rising.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, said MDHHS lost 23 staff members and local health departments lost 123 during the outbreak response due to federal funding cuts. "If the American public, if Michiganders care about their food safety, they need to recognize the value and the importance of having a robust and well-funded public health system," she told MLive on August 3.
MDHHS publishes daily case updates and weekly county-level reports; the next Oakland County update is expected August 7. Residents experiencing sudden, ongoing diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider and their local health department.
