As cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by parasitic infections, rapidly spreads across the United States, deaths linked to this infectious disease have been reported.

According to the Associated Press on the 3rd (local time), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first confirmed US deaths related to cyclosporiasis have been identified.

The deceased are two individuals, both of whom had underlying health conditions.

Because of this, it is presumed that they were severely affected by intestinal illness and dehydration after infection.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness contracted by consuming water, fruits, or vegetables contaminated with feces.

After an incubation period of about a week, symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea appear, and mild fever and vomiting may also occur, though it is generally not life-threatening.

Michigan health authorities also stated that cyclosporiasis is not typically a fatal disease, making these deaths an unusual occurrence.

As a large-scale cyclosporiasis outbreak hit the US this summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched an investigation.

According to CNN, 18,000 cases of infection have been reported so far, of which 11,500 are being tested to determine if they are domestic infections.

The situation is most severe in Michigan, where 11,234 infection cases have been reported so far, with 193 hospitalized patients.

Iceberg lettuce distributed through Taylor Farms has been pointed out as the cause, prompting a recall of the product.

(Photo: Getty Images)