Jon Ossoff Criticizes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Over Cyclospora Outbreak

Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding cuts to health funding that he claims have left Americans vulnerable to a Cyclospora outbreak. In a letter, Ossoff accused Kennedy of dismantling the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, which had previously tracked the Cyclospora parasite. Ossoff stated that since May 1, over 7,000 confirmed and suspected cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported, compared to the typical annual average of about 250 cases. The outbreak has resulted in nearly 100 hospitalizations but no reported deaths. Ossoff demanded answers about the surveillance network and the source of the outbreak, requesting a response from Kennedy within 72 hours. As of four days later, Kennedy had not responded. The FDA's investigation into the outbreak faced complications, initially linking cases to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms before reversing that claim.