RFK Jr. says cyclospora outbreak is 'under control'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday said that the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis is "under control."

"We've identified the source of the outbreak, and the companies that are involved have implemented a recall," Kennedy said, responding to questions during a news briefing about health care fraud.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both under Kennedy's purview as HHS secretary, have faced criticism for their responses to the outbreak. Critics have blasted the federal agencies for the delays in alerting the public and tracking down the source, which they have linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico that was supplied by produce giant Taylor Farms.

Some have claimed that agency cuts by the Trump administration have hampered the investigation, although the cyclospora parasite itself presents challenges due to its lengthy incubation period.

"Those criticisms are invalid," Kennedy said during the briefing, responding to a question regarding criticism of the job cuts under his leadership. "We had no cuts in the surveillance program. We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance."

FoodNet, or the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, stopped mandatory reporting for six of eight pathogens — including cyclospora — last year due to funding cuts. The organization is a partnership between the CDC, the FDA, 10 state health departments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The FDA has concluded that the current cyclospora outbreak is linked to the iceberg lettuce, some of which was served by Yum Brands' Taco Bell. Taylor Farms has recalled the produce linked to the outbreak, while Taco Bell has pulled it from its restaurants.

However, the agency's messaging about a false positive test for cyclospora in a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce during its investigation sparked confusion, leading the FDA to issue a clarification on Monday. It said it still suspects the company's iceberg lettuce is the source of the outbreak.

The CDC, FDA and public health officials in multiple states have been investigating the outbreak, with illnesses first appearing on May 13. So far, more than 1,644 cases have been reported, with 94 hospitalizations and no deaths, according to the CDC.