Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday that the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak is under control, despite criticism over the Trump administration’s cuts to the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.
“We do have the outbreak under control,” Kennedy said. “We have done extensive epidemiological forensics, and we’ve identified the source of the outbreak. We and the companies that have been involved have implemented a recall.”
Kennedy’s comments come as critics question whether cuts to the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, have weakened the nation’s ability to detect and track foodborne illnesses. FoodNet historically monitored eight major food-borne pathogens, including Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration narrowed its routine surveillance to just two pathogens: Salmonella and E. coli. State surveillance could continue however, which is why Kennedy said the cuts are not to be blamed.
“We did cuts in the food net program, but they were for redundant surveillance. And all the states will tell you that we’re still doing forensics. We’re still doing surveillance in all the states,” Kennedy said.
Last week, the FDA said it had linked the outbreak to produce supplier Taylor Farms. However, the agency rescinded the mass recall effort on Sunday after determining the laboratory finding was a false positive.
“Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive,” the FDA said in an updated statement Sunday evening.
Investigators have also been examining Taco Bell, which sources lettuce from Taylor Farms, in connection with the outbreak. Officials last week identified potentially affected Taco Bell locations in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
The outbreak has fueled criticism from Democratic lawmakers and organizations, who argue staffing and funding reductions at federal public health agencies have undermined food safety.
“Now a cyclosporiasis outbreak sweeps the nation,” Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) wrote in a letter to Kennedy. “Your foolish and self-indulgent demolition of critical public health programs puts Americans at risk.”
“The Trump Administration is actively undermining food safety,” Ossoff added, pointing to the growing number of cases nationwide. “Americans are suffering from severe diarrhea and painful complications.”
The Democratic National Committee also blamed the administration for the outbreak.
“Donald Trump and RFK Jr. gutted our public health agencies, and now Americans are facing yet another major outbreak,” DNC spokesperson Jaelin O’Halloran said in a statement. “Trump and RFK Jr.’s reckless funding and staffing cuts to critical agencies — and dangerous public health disinformation — have weakened our response to preventable outbreaks and made our food supply less safe. American families should be able to trust public health officials to keep them safe and healthy, but under Trump and RFK Jr., families and communities are left at risk of serious illness.”
WHAT IS CYCLOSPORIASIS, AND WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST-RISK STATES?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has defended the surveillance changes. According to the agency’s website, FoodNet scaled back routine surveillance because “the surveillance landscape has changed since the collaboration began in 1995.”
“Today, other surveillance systems monitor for infection with FoodNet pathogens,” the CDC said. “Changes to the reporting requirements and associated activities allow FoodNet staff to prioritize core activities while maintaining both the infrastructure and quality FoodNet represents.”
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
