Why cyclospora can be deadly for some people

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What to know about the outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite, cyclospora

What to know about the outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite, cyclospora

(NEXSTAR) – Two Michigan residents appear to be the first fatalities in connection with the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, which been described as the largest such outbreak in the U.S.

Michigan health officials reported the deaths on Monday, noting that “both individuals had significant underlying health conditions” and became ill before the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce.

“Cyclosporiasis is generally not a life-threatening illness. Death resulting from cyclosporiasis is uncommon in the United States,” state health officials said.

While cyclosporiasis has caught widespread attention because of its potentially most unpleasant symptom of “explosive” diarrhea, it can cause a variety of other gastrointestinal symptoms. In other patients, there may be no symptoms at all, a factor that federal health officials say may lead to the true number of cases being underreported.

“Cyclospora........

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