Wayne County now leads Michigan in cyclospora infections with 1,625 confirmed cases, and two people statewide have died from the parasitic illness, state health officials announced Monday, Aug. 3.
The deaths are the first fatalities linked to the 2026 outbreak anywhere in the nation. Both individuals had "significant underlying health conditions" that may have been worsened by cyclosporiasis and dehydration, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in its daily update. The department declined to release ages, counties of residence or specific conditions.
Plymouth Township and Canton Township residents fall under Wayne County's case count. No township-level data has been released.
Wayne County survey underway
Wayne County Public Health announced July 30 that it is reaching out to residents with a survey to gather information about the outbreak. The department urged anyone contacted to participate, saying responses help identify possible sources of illness.
Dr. Teena Chopra, a professor of infectious diseases at Wayne State University School of Medicine, told the Detroit News that Michigan is seeing deaths because of the sheer volume of cases. She said people older than 65 don't "have the same immune system to fight the infection" and are more vulnerable to dehydration that can damage the heart and kidneys.
"I would urge people to seek help early on because there is an antibiotic that we can give for it," Chopra said.
Statewide numbers
Michigan's confirmed case count reached 11,234 on Aug. 3, up from 10,773 on Saturday, Aug. 1. The state typically sees about 50 cyclospora cases per year. This outbreak, which began June 22, has produced roughly 225 times that figure.
Across metro Detroit, Oakland County reported 1,043 cases and Macomb County 282, according to The Oakland Press. Detroit's health department counted 246 cases separately.
The share of emergency room visits for diarrhea has started to slow, according to state data reported by WBZ NewsRadio, suggesting the worst may be easing. The typical Cyclospora season runs through the end of August.
Lettuce recall still active
The outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Farms de Mexico issued a voluntary recall July 17 covering all iceberg lettuce products distributed June 29 through July 16 in at least 27 states, including Michigan. Recalled products included Marketside-brand lettuce sold at Walmart, according to the CDC. Taylor Farms temporarily shut down its central Mexico processing facility in late July.
MDHHS advises residents to buy whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed bagged varieties, discard the outer two to three layers of leaves, wash inner leaves under running water and cook greens to at least 158°F when possible. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill the parasite; soap and water do.
Who should seek care
MDHHS recommends testing for people who are immunocompromised from HIV, organ transplant or cancer treatment, as well as older adults, young children with significant symptoms and anyone experiencing dehydration or weight loss. The standard treatment is the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Wayne County health officials warned that without treatment, the illness can last for weeks and may recur.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, noted the outbreak response has been strained by staffing losses. MDHHS lost 23 staff members and local health departments lost 123 during the response period, losses she attributed to federal funding cuts.
The next county-level data update is expected Aug. 7. Residents with sudden, ongoing diarrhea should contact their health care provider and Wayne County Public Health.
