Cyclospora outbreak causes first two deaths

Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, Michigan health officials said Monday, marking the first known deaths linked to the foodborne illness.

Why it matters: Weeks into the national crisis that's sickened thousands of people, federal authorities still don't know for certain where it's coming from or why.

Driving the news: Medical records show that the individuals who died "had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration," Michigan's Health and Human Services Department said Monday.

• Generally, health experts don't consider cyclosporiasis to be life-threatening.

Catch up quick: Cyclospora cases have steadily grown since late June, when an outbreak was reported in Michigan.

• The CDC is aware of more than 11,000 cases nationwide — though the number is likely much higher as not all cases are reported to state health officials or the CDC.

Context: Health officials are still unclear where the outbreak originated, though many cases were linked to fresh produce from Taylor Farms, which is sold at Taco Bell.

• Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico in mid-July over the outbreak. Taco Bell similarly said it would stop serving Taylor Farms lettuce.

What to know about cyclospora

Zoom out: The gastrointestinal illness cyclosporiasis typically spreads in the summer months, according to the CDC.

• It's caused by a microscopic parasite that spreads through food contaminated with feces.

• Raw produce is often the source of the outbreak, including raspberries, basil, salad mixes, cilantro, berry and fruit mixes, lettuce, and snap peas, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cyclospora symptoms and advice

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can vary, but often include watery or "explosive" diarrhea.

• Other symptoms include gas, weight loss, abdominal cramping, fatigue and nausea.
• Treatment often includes antibiotics, though symptoms sometimes disappear without treatment.

What to watch for: Health experts recommend washing produce under running water before consuming. Some food items, like cucumbers or watermelons, should be scrubbed with a clean brush.

Go deeper: How Cyclospora cases compare to the biggest U.S. foodborne outbreaks

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information throughout.