Health officials in Michigan have confirmed the first two deaths linked to the ongoing US cyclospora outbreak, a parasitic infection spread through contaminated food or water that causes severe diarrhoea. Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the infection and dehydration, though the CDC notes that deaths from cyclosporiasis are rare, as the illness is not usually life-threatening. The confirmation marks a significant escalation of an outbreak that has already sickened thousands across the country.

The outbreak has now spread to 45 US states, with almost 7,000 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, according to the CDC. Michigan is the epicentre, recording more than 11,000 cases and 193 hospitalisations, though many have not been laboratory-confirmed. Officials have traced the outbreak to lettuce imported from Mexican supplier Taylor Farms, prompting Taco Bell to remove the product from its menu and Taylor Farms to issue a voluntary recall; UK health authorities have also issued warnings after cases were detected in returning travellers.