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.
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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 additional cases are being investigated, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday. A growing outbreak in Michigan and Ohio has also been linked to cases in West Virginia and Kentucky, the agency said. People with cyclosporiasis may experience symptoms, including watery diarrhea, cramping and bloating, for weeks.”
As CNN explains, “Since May 1, cases have been identified in 34 states. Cyclospora activity tends to increase during the spring and summer, but the number of confirmed cases since May 1 is already more than six times higher than it was by this time last year, according to a health alert sent by the CDC. If all possible cases being investigated are included, this year’s total is 27 times higher than last year’s total at this time.”
“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” said Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, calling it “a very big shift” from previous seasons. Per CNN, “About 1 in every 11 cases has been hospitalized.”
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Experts suggest that policy changes implemented by the Trump Administration may have contributed to the outbreak. As USA Today reports, “Cyclospora was one of multiple parasites that were removed from a mandatory reporting list last summer under the Trump Administration. Historically, the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, or FoodNet, tracked cases of food poisoning, referring to a number of pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal and other symptoms … Last year, however, the program was significantly cut back as part of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s changes to the agency. Required monitoring was cut down from eight pathogens to just two, and the other six pathogens were made optional, including cyclospora. Salmonella and STEC remain the only required pathogens for monitoring.”
While monitoring doesn’t prevent an infection from taking place, it can stop an outbreak by identifying potential causes before they have a chance to spread. According to Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Texas, outbreaks like this may become increasingly common as health officials are forced to work with reduced staff and limited funding.
“Unfortunately with so many budget cuts, every federal agency is hurting for personnel and resources,” said Yancey. “We could be at a greater risk of foodborne infections because the FDA is so understaffed and underfunded right now.”
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