Two individuals have died during a record-breaking outbreak of Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite causing explosive diarrhea. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that both deceased had significant underlying health conditions exacerbated by the infection and dehydration. The cases occurred before a recall of shredded iceberg lettuce linked to thousands of infections across at least nine states.

Despite the severity of the outbreak, federal health agencies under the Trump administration were notably slow to report. The Food and Drug Administration had not updated its investigation page in nearly two weeks, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged awareness of the deaths but did not immediately update its reporting data.

HHS Press Secretary Emily Hilliard confirmed the deaths and stated that the FDA and CDC intended to update overall illness, hospitalization, and death figures that week. Cyclospora is typically spread through contaminated produce, with past outbreaks linked to items like raspberries and green onions.