Two deaths linked to 'explosive diarrhoea' outbreak in US, officials say

Two people have died in the US amid an outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite known to cause “explosive diarrhoea”.

Michigan health officials announced the deaths on Monday, which are the first confirmed in the US linked to the outbreak of the microscopic parasite.

The two people who died had underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the intestinal illness and dehydration, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.

The department said it would not provide additional information about the deaths.

Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhoea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements”, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.

The CDC says the illness, called cyclosporiasis, is rarely deadly. The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through faeces.

People have previously been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables exposed to faeces-contaminated irrigation water.

The CDC said it is aware of more than 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases in the current surge. But CDC numbers can lag state reports, which suggest the number is more than 20,000 nationwide.

Lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in nine states has been identified as a potential source of the outbreak, though the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuing to investigate.

US fast-food chain Taco Bell has reportedly removed the affected lettuce from its restaurants.

Its original supplier, Taylor Farms, says it “voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico that was identified as the potential source of one of the recent Cyclospora outbreaks”, adding that “anything currently on shelves is not the affected product.”

As of late July, the number of cases linked to the lettuce was 1,947, including at least 98 people who were hospitalised, according to the CDC.

The agency has said other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be tied to the outbreak as the investigation continues.

Dr Joel Kammeyer, the division chief of infectious diseases at Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Centre, called the deaths a “tragedy” but noted that despite thousands of cyclosporiasis cases, only two people have died.

“For someone who comes into an urgent care and cyclosporiasis is their only issue, it’s relatively easy to treat,” Kammeyer said.

But for people who are struggling with other illnesses, he said: “It stands to reason that there are some patients that might not be able to withstand the dehydration that can come with severe cyclosporiasis.”

Cyclosporiasis is less common than other foodborne illnesses, including salmonella and E. coli.

Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source and, for years, few US cyclospora outbreaks were reported. But the number began rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, 4,700 cyclosporiasis cases were reported in the US.

According to the NHS, cyclospora is not found in the UK, but there is a risk of picking it up while travelling to places where it is common, such as Central and South America, south and south-east Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

People heading to Mexico from the UK have been warned to take extra precautions amid a sharp rise in cases of travellers picking up the parasite.

ITV News has contacted Taco Bell for comment.