Senators Cory Booker, D-N. J., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are seeking answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding whether cuts in staffing and changes to the agency’s foodborne disease monitoring have hindered its ability to handle a rising cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to a letter first obtained by NBC News.
In the letter, sent today to Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya, the senators raised concerns about whether staff reductions, hiring freezes, and reorganization within the agency have impacted its capacity to investigate the outbreak and find its origin. They also requested a briefing from CDC officials and answers by July 30 regarding the agency’s response.
“Outbreaks of this scale and duration depend on CDC’s surveillance, laboratory, and epidemiological staff to trace a source quickly and limit further illness,” the senators wrote. “Given the reported staffing reductions, hiring freezes, and leadership turnover at CDC over the past year, we are concerned about whether the agency currently has the personnel and resources it needs to stop this outbreak.”
This request comes as federal health officials look into a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that can lead to weeks of severe gastrointestinal issues. The FDA has warned consumers to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell locations across five states. Additionally, Taylor Fresh Foods announced on Friday that it is voluntarily withdrawing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from U. S. stores.
Booker and Blumenthal also questioned the CDC about modifications made last year to its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network. They asked if making Cyclospora reporting optional delayed case identification and whether there are plans to reinstate mandatory reporting. Furthermore, they sought information on current staffing levels and when federal officials expect to identify the source of the outbreak.
The CDC has confirmed over 1,600 domestic cases of cyclosporiasis this year while reviewing more than 5,100 additional reports. The senators pointed out that over 400 cases have been linked to a multistate cluster affecting Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Investigators have identified Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to some Taco Bell restaurants as a potential source but have not yet confirmed it.
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