The outbreak of explosive diarrhea cross the U.S. is truly frightening. Referred to as “cyclospora,” the cause is a parasite transmitted via human feces that gets into food through contaminated irrigation water, soil or infected food handlers. Eeww!
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), cyclospora advances in the spring and summer, but this year, the number of confirmed cases is six times higher than last year. And when the more than 7,000 likely cases are researched, that number could be 27 times higher. It’s unclear why this information remains so vague. But it should come as no surprise that politics are involved.
We have Elon Musk’s DOGE to thank for gutting the CDC’s food inspection and pathogen testing. DOGE ended 28 years of screening for cyclospora. And DOGE was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who made cyclospora tracking optional, rendering the CDC virtually unable to detect and follow the outbreaks. So we’re essentially clueless about where this all started, and how it’s passed on.
We do know that cyclospora may be dangerous to healthy folks, but can be life-threatening to kids and the elderly. The number of states hit is growing, with more likely. I doubt that I’m alone being creeped out about this. While the CDC was missing in action, I checked out multiple blogs’ tips on avoiding possibly contaminated food: fresh herbs, berries, leafy greens, pre-packaged salads, fresh veggies. All my favorite stuff!
I loved the reaction to this list from a good friend. “I’m guessing I’ll replace fruit and vegetables with donuts, cake and bacon!” I laughed with him, but not at how the CDC scaled back its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration followed suit.