An outbreak of diarrhea caused by the Cyclospora parasite is wreaking havoc in the United States. There are 20,000 people who have already been affected by the virus, which is present in fresh food. Such is the impact that health authorities have confirmed the first two deaths from the disease in Michigan.
As reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, both patients suffered complications due to the disease, including severe dehydration and the development of muscle weakness. The agency has not provided more information about the deceased, although it has insisted that this type of infection is not usually fatal.
“Two deaths have been identified as part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Michigan. Both cases became ill before the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce announced by the United States Food and Drug Administration,” the state Department of Health explained in a brief statement.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes frequent bowel movements in the form of “explosive diarrhea,” according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is an outbreak that tends to occur most frequently in late spring and summer and is rarely fatal.
The parasite infects the intestines and spreads through feces, also causing loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, abdominal pain, fatigue and bloating, and can last for weeks if you do not receive antibiotic treatment.
The origin of the virus
The outbreak began last May after the detection of several cases in various states of the country, and currently more than 20,000 people are suffering from the consequences of the virus, of which 200 are hospitalized. According to initial investigations, the origin of the outbreak could be iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
And the health authorities began to investigate in mid-July the relationship between the outbreak and a series of products sold by the multinational Taco Bell, which preventively withdrew some products that contained lettuce, onion, cilantro, pico de gallo or guacamole.
It is not the first case
Although the disease has already left two dead, it is not the first time it has been detected on American soil. In 2018, McDonald’s had to recall its salads in 14 states due to another such outbreak, while in 2019 the country recorded the highest number of reported cyclosporiasis cases, with around 4,700.
However, despite the number of people affected, authorities say that the outbreak is beginning to reduce. “We are increasingly confident that the outbreak is decreasing,” said Laina Stebbins, spokesperson for the state Department of Health.
