Michigan health officials have confirmed the link of two deaths from cyclosporiasis to an outbreak of the disease, marking the first fatalities associated with the largest-ever record of Cyclospora infections in the United States. The people who died had significant pre-existing health conditions, which is a rare factor in the lethality of cyclosporiasis.
The Michigan Department of Health released the deaths on August 3, 2026, saying that the individuals’ underlying conditions may have been worsened by the infection and dehydration. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already announced that it is aware of the two deaths related to the disease.
Michigan is the epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 11,000 reported cases, and was the first state to identify a connection between cyclosporiasis and the consumption of shredded lettuce at Taco Bell locations. After detection, Taco Bell, owned by Yum Brands, removed lettuce from its products in some regions. Taylor Farms, a relevant agricultural company, also recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico, sold both to restaurants and retailers such as Walmart.
Cyclospora is a parasite that contaminates leafy vegetables, berries and herbs. When consumed, these infected products cause cyclosporiasis, a serious gastrointestinal illness characterized by watery diarrhea and cramps. Patients require treatment with antibiotics to resolve the infection.
Currently, several outbreaks of Cyclospora, probably unrelated to each other, are ongoing in the United States. The iceberg lettuce-specific outbreak has now affected nine US states, with 1,947 confirmed cases and 98 hospitalizations as of July 28, according to the CDC’s most recent update. Considering all outbreaks of the disease, the country has 6,707 confirmed cases and at least 11,500 suspected cases distributed across 45 states.
Health authorities have not yet been able to confirm the exact source of either outbreak, complicating guidance on which agricultural products are safe to eat. Experts warn that the number of incidents could continue to increase beyond August, given the complexity and wide spread of the problem.
