Michigan Confirms Two Deaths as Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Becomes Largest in US History

Michigan’s health department confirmed Monday that two residents died amid the nation’s largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak. Officials said both had serious pre existing health conditions worsened by the illness and dehydration. The FDA traced the outbreak, spanning nine states, to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms served at Taco Bell.

Michigan Cases Keep Climbing

Michigan reported 11,234 cases as of Monday, up 461 from Friday, with 193 hospitalizations. Wayne County recorded the most cases at 1,379. Nationally, the CDC confirmed 6,707 lab-verified cases as of late July, plus over 11,500 suspected cases.

Officials Raise Concerns Over Response

A Washtenaw County health spokesperson said one confirmed food source doesn’t explain the full outbreak, criticizing mixed messaging from federal health leadership. Experts say staffing cuts at public health agencies have hampered tracing efforts, since Cyclospora can’t be lab-grown or genome mapped like bacteria, making investigations especially difficult.