RFK Jr. says parasite outbreak is under control as cases top 1,600
The HHS secretary said companies tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak have recalled lettuce, while federal agencies face criticism over public alerts.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that a national cyclosporiasis outbreak is “under control,” even as federal health agencies remain under fire over how long it took to warn the public and identify a suspected source.
Kennedy made the comments during a news briefing focused on health care fraud, according to CNBC. Asked about the outbreak, he said officials had found its source and that companies connected to it had carried out a recall.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 1,644 cases have been reported. Ninety-four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.
The illnesses began appearing on May 13, the CDC says. The agency has been investigating alongside the Food and Drug Administration and public health officials in multiple states.
Federal agencies face questions
The FDA and CDC, both part of the department Kennedy leads, have been criticized over their handling of the outbreak, CNBC reported. Critics have accused the agencies of moving too slowly to alert the public and determine where the infections were coming from.
Federal investigators have linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico that was supplied by Taylor Farms, according to CNBC. The FDA has concluded that the current outbreak is tied to the lettuce, some of which was served by Taco Bell, the Yum Brands chain.
Taylor Farms has recalled produce connected to the outbreak, CNBC reported. Taco Bell has removed the lettuce from its restaurants.
Kennedy rejected criticism that staff or program cuts under the Trump administration weakened the investigation. “Those criticisms are invalid,” he said, according to CNBC. He said there had been no cuts to the surveillance program and that reductions to FoodNet involved what he called redundant surveillance.
FoodNet, formally the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, is a partnership among the CDC, FDA, 10 state health departments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CNBC reported that mandatory reporting through FoodNet ended last year for six of eight pathogens, including cyclospora, because of funding cuts.
Lettuce test confusion
The investigation was complicated this week by confusion over a test result. CNBC reported that the FDA’s messaging about a false positive cyclospora test in a Taylor Farms lettuce sample prompted the agency to issue a clarification Monday.
The FDA said it still suspects Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce is the source of the outbreak, despite the earlier confusion over that test result, according to CNBC.
Cyclospora can also be difficult for investigators to trace because the parasite has a lengthy incubation period, CNBC reported. That can slow efforts to connect illnesses to a particular food or supplier.
The CDC’s outbreak page says the investigation is continuing. Kennedy, meanwhile, told reporters Tuesday that federal officials believe they have identified the source and that recalls are already in place.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.