The Trump administration is halting nearly all federal research on Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite, by defunding two of three USDA programs and relocating the remaining work to Iowa. All scientists currently working on the project plan to leave rather than relocate, creating a significant knowledge gap. This occurs amid the largest Cyclospora outbreak in US history, with nearly 30,000 cases, 922 hospitalizations, and two deaths reported this summer.
Background
Cyclospora is a difficult-to-culture parasite that only reproduces in the human gut, making laboratory research challenging. The US has historically reported 2,000-5,000 cases annually, making the current outbreak of nearly 30,000 cases unprecedented.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 1, 2026 at 05:23 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10