Two deaths have been linked to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, and state health officials say more than 11,000 have been sickened.
Detroit Medical Center Infectious Disease Division Chief Joel Kammeyer says that despite the high numbers of people getting sick, only a small number of patients have complications that require hospitalization.
“It’s obviously sad to hear that there have been two deaths related to this. It really does seem that these were in patients that had multiple medical problems. While we don’t have information for that specifically, the facts are that for most patients that have this, this isn’t going to be a prolonged illness that requires hospitalization.”
Health experts say those who are eating lettuce should continue to wash it thoroughly after removing the outer layers. People should also buy whole heads of lettuce instead of the bagged options.
