The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday that two individuals in the state have died after contracting cyclosporiasis. This marks the first time fatalities have been officially linked to the ongoing national outbreak of the foodborne illness, which has affected thousands of people across nine states.

According to state health officials, both patients had pre-existing medical conditions. The department stated that these underlying health issues were likely worsened by the infection and the severe dehydration that typically accompanies the parasite. While the deaths have been connected to the outbreak, the exact source of the contamination remains a subject of ongoing investigation by federal and state authorities.

Sources provide varying context regarding the scale and cause of the outbreak. The Independent explicitly links the outbreak to contaminated lettuce, whereas Axios and The Hill emphasize that federal authorities have not yet identified a definitive source for the contamination. The Hill reports that Michigan has recorded 11,234 cases of the illness, while other outlets focus primarily on the national scope of the crisis. Investigators continue to work to determine the origin of the parasite as the number of cases continues to rise.