Sen. Jon Ossoff demands answers from RFK Jr. over parasite outbreak after Trump Cabinet member’s ‘reckless arrogance’

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing renewed scrutiny over the nation’s record cyclosporiasis outbreak as Sen. Jon Ossoff presses the Health and Human Services secretary for answers about changes to a key federal disease surveillance program, Wonderwall.com can report.

The Georgia Democrat argues the administration’s changes weakened the nation’s ability to track the foodborne parasite as an estimated 18,000 people have been sickened so far, according to the latest data cited by Today.com.

The nation is currently experiencing the largest recorded U.S. outbreak of the parasitic illness, with people in 45 states reportedly affected so far. At least 423 people have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been attributed to the illness.

Kennedy, however, has insisted the epidemic is “under control.”

“We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics, and we have identified the source of the outbreak,” Kennedy said. “We, and the companies that are involved, have implemented a recall.”

But Ossoff argued the explanation failed to address key concerns about the CDC’s disease surveillance changes and sent Kennedy another letter demanding answers.

“Your silence amidst an ongoing outbreak of diarrheal disease is indicative of the reckless arrogance with which you demolished America’s public health defense,” Ossoff wrote in part.

The Democratic senator’s office said the letter was sent on July 24 “after RFK Jr. failed to respond to his first inquiry.”

In his letter, Ossoff argued that Kennedy’s changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, weakened the nation’s ability to monitor the growing outbreak.

Kennedy disagreed, responding, “Those criticisms are invalid. We had no cuts in the surveillance program. We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance.”

According to the CDC, FoodNet made reporting optional for all pathogens except Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli beginning July 1, 2025. The agency said other public health programs continue monitoring cyclospora and other foodborne illnesses and that narrowing FoodNet’s reporting requirements allows staff to prioritize core surveillance activities.

Ossoff asked Kennedy whether the CDC has restored mandatory cyclospora surveillance, why the reporting requirement was changed and what progress investigators have made identifying the source of the outbreak.

Federal investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell as one possible source of a multistate outbreak, though officials continue investigating whether multiple contaminated foods are responsible.

Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, while the FDA has warned additional brands, restaurants and distribution channels could be identified as the investigation continues.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is typically spread through contaminated food or water. Fresh produce — including lettuce, cilantro, basil and other fruits and vegetables — has been linked to previous outbreaks.

“When cases are reported across multiple states, investigators typically focus on widely distributed commercial food products, particularly fresh produce that may have become contaminated during harvesting, processing or packaging,” Dr. Wesley Long, medical director of microbiology and pathology informatics at Houston Methodist, told Wonderwall.com. “Contaminated products can make their way into grocery stores, restaurants and prepared foods before anyone realizes there is a problem.”

Although cyclosporiasis is rarely life-threatening, symptoms can last for weeks if left untreated, and some patients experience relapsing illness that improves before returning days later.

Long said the recurring nature of the infection can be particularly difficult for patients.

“The most common symptom is diarrhea, which can be severe and prolonged. The diarrhea can also relapse, meaning that symptoms may improve only to return a day or two later,” he explained.

“Patients may also experience loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramping, bloating, fatigue and weight loss.

“While the term ‘explosive diarrhea’ often gets attention because it sounds alarming, the more important point is that the illness can be intense and last for days or even weeks if left untreated,” the doctor added.