Trump's CDC Cut Tracking of 'Explosive Diarrhea' Parasite Before 2026 Outbreak
More than 1,600 confirmed cases and 5,100 under investigation have been reported as officials struggle to identify the contaminated source.
- On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states, with 5,100 additional cases under investigation.
- The Trump administration removed cyclospora from mandatory reporting in July 2025, limiting Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network monitoring to two pathogens instead of eight.
- Federal and state officials are investigating whether Taco Bell "played a role" in the outbreak; about 1 in every 11 cases required hospitalization for symptoms including explosive diarrhea.
- University of Maryland infectious disease expert Dr. Omer Awan warns infections will likely spread because the government has not identified the source; mass firings at the Department of Health and Human Services hindered tracking.
- Infectious disease specialist Linda Yancey warned that reduced staff and funding could increase foodborne infection risk, as officials currently lack resources to identify shared foods and restaurant visits among those sickened.
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KMIZIn the United States, 1,645 cases of ciclosporiasis were confirmed since May 1, and more than 5,100 additional cases are under investigation...
In the US, several states are grappling with an outbreak of the intestinal parasite Cyclospora, which causes watery diarrhea. More than thirty states have reported infections this year. Although infection is not life-threatening in most cases, people can become quite ill from it. The intestinal infection is contracted by drinking water contaminated with the parasite or by eating food containing the parasite. The number of cases is particularly h…
Explosive diarrhea spreads to more states — and it's all Trump's fault
On Tuesday, CNN reported that cases of explosive diarrhea have spread to more states across the country, caused by an outbreak of the parasite cyclosporiasis. The fast-spreading outbreak comes after the Trump administration removed cyclosporiasis from its list of parasites that require mandatory reporting. According to CNN, "There have been 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States since May 1, and more than 5,100 add…
Trump cuts blamed as 'explosive diarrhea' outbreak spreads unchecked
The Trump administration is coming under fire for its response to the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that causes explosive diarrhea and has so far been documented in more than two dozen states.Public health officials still have not identified the source of the outbreak, which typically spreads via contaminated produce.In an interview with Axios published Saturday, David Freedman, professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the …
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