RFK Jr says source of cyclospora outbreak identified, declares parasite outbreak 'under control'

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that national officials person brought nan multistate cyclospora outbreak "under control," saying investigators person identified nan root of nan illnesses and implemented recalls, moreover arsenic nan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues investigating nan precise root of nan contamination.

"We do person nan outbreak nether control," Kennedy said during a healthcare fraud briefing Tuesday. "We person done extended forensics, epidemiological forensics and we person identified nan root of nan outbreak. We, and nan companies that are involved, person implemented a recall."

Kennedy's comments came 2 days aft nan FDA said an earlier laboratory consequence indicating a Taylor Farms lettuce sample tested affirmative for cyclospora should beryllium considered a mendacious affirmative following an further laboratory review.

The FDA said it continues investigating nan outbreak and collecting merchandise samples. While traceback investigators identified Taylor Farms de Mexico arsenic nan supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served astatine Taco Bell restaurants linked to nan outbreak, nan agency said nary merchandise samples connected to nan investigation person produced a confirmed affirmative consequence for nan parasite.

WHITE HOUSE ADDRESSES GROWING PARASITE OUTBREAK AFTER MORE THAN 400 AMERICANS SICKENED

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that national officials person brought nan multistate cyclospora outbreak "under control."  (David Berding/Getty Images)

Taylor Fresh Foods said nan FDA informed nan institution nan first laboratory uncovering was incorrect and that it voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce originated from central Mexico connected July 17, aft investigators linked nan merchandise to Taco Bell locations wherever galore sick group reported eating earlier becoming ill.

The institution said nan callback was constricted to iceberg lettuce grown and processed successful cardinal Mexico and did not see Taylor Farms-branded crockery products sold astatine retail.

The outbreak has sickened 1,644 group and hospitalized 94 crossed Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Federal investigators proceed moving to find nan contaminated nutrient responsible for nan illnesses.

Cyclospora infections person historically been linked to caller produce, including leafy greens, herbs and berries, though officials person not confirmed a contaminated merchandise done laboratory testing successful this investigation.

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Cyclospora is simply a parasite that tin origin prolonged diarrhea, tummy cramps, fatigue and nausea. Some patients require hospitalization, according to nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kennedy besides rejected disapproval of the administration's response aft a newsman asked whether cuts to nan Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known arsenic FoodNet, affected nan government's expertise to analyse nan outbreak.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an announcement astatine nan Department of Health and Human Services office successful Washington, D.C., connected Tuesday. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"We did cuts successful nan FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance, and each nan states will show you that we're still doing forensics," Kennedy said.

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He added that surveillance efforts proceed nationwide and called disapproval of nan administration's consequence "invalid."