Two people died in Michigan due to the parasite that causes severe diarrhea and has already sickened thousands of people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday.
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Both had preexisting conditions, the agency said in a statement. The Michigan Department of Health indicated that cyclosporiasis infections and dehydration could have worsened their already serious health problems.
These are the first deaths recorded in a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the U.S., a disease caused by consuming food contaminated with a microscopic parasite. The CDC has recorded 6,707 infections in 45 states this year. State health departments have reported even higher numbers: the largest cluster, in Michigan, had accumulated 11,234 cases as of Monday.
The victims consumed from Taylor Farms, which produces 40% of salads in the U.S.
Many of the sick people had consumed iceberg lettuce from producer Taylor Farms, which produces 40% of bagged or packaged salads sold in the U.S. The company recalled products distributed in 27 states, including lettuce sent to Taco Bell, after being linked to the outbreak. It also stated that it no longer sources from a large farm in Mexico that supplied that lettuce.
The outbreak’s spread led Taco Bell to remove some of the lettuce from its restaurants last month and caused some Americans to stop eating salads. It is still unclear whether the deaths were related to specific products or restaurants. The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue investigating other outbreaks.
Shares of Sweetgreen Inc. fell as much as 5.7% in New York, while those of Yum! Brands Inc., Taco Bell’s parent company, dropped as much as 1.8%.
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Taylor Farms, Sweetgreen, and Taco Bell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sweetgreen has said it has not been affected by the outbreak.
An uncommon death
It is rare for a person to die from a cyclosporiasis infection. Symptoms, including watery diarrhea and nausea, can appear up to two weeks after ingesting the parasite and last for up to two months. Treatment may include antibiotics and supportive care, such as plenty of hydration.
About 22% of people with confirmed cyclosporiasis infections visited an emergency room within two weeks of diagnosis, and 12% were hospitalized, according to an analysis by health data firm Truveta. Among patients under 65 years old, just under 10% required hospitalization, compared to 19.4% among those 65 or older.
Last month, the rate of cyclosporiasis diagnoses was more than 11 times higher than the average recorded in July between 2018 and 2025, according to Truveta.
The parasite responsible for the disease, called Cyclospora, is difficult to track. It is hard to reproduce and study in the laboratory, and the short shelf life of fresh products where it is usually found makes investigations even more difficult. It typically thrives on leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and basil, or on fruits like raspberries.
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