Michigan reports 2 deaths in rare parasite outbreak that has sickened more than 11,000

Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the state's sprawling cyclosporiasis outbreak, marking a rare fatal outcome from the intestinal parasite, health officials said Monday.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said the deaths were identified as part of the ongoing outbreak, which has so far sickened 11,234 people statewide. As of Thursday, 193 people with reported infections said they had been hospitalized.

According to the agency, medical records showed both people who died "had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration." Officials said no additional information about the cases will be released. ---More...