Michigan records 2 US deaths in lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak

Michigan reported the first two US deaths tied to the 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak, a foodborne illness that investigators have linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce. State health officials said both people had serious underlying conditions and may have been further harmed by dehydration related to the intestinal parasite. Michigan’s latest update listed 11,234 outbreak-linked cases, up 461 from July 31, and 193 hospitalizations. Wayne County, home to Detroit, has the state’s highest total with 1,379 cases. The Food and Drug Administration traced part of the multistate outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, including products sold at Taco Bell, but officials are still investigating other possible sources as infections continue to climb.