USDA cuts back cyclospora research amid summer outbreak sickening thousands
Politico reports the USDA is shutting down two of three research projects on the cyclospora parasite as the US battles an outbreak that has sickened tens of thousands. The agency insists no research is being disrupted.
The US Department of Agriculture is closing two of three research projects studying the foodborne parasite cyclospora, according to a Politico report citing sources familiar with the plans and internal documents. The move comes as the parasite has sickened tens of thousands of Americans this summer.
The two projects, based at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center outside Washington DC, lost their funding after Congress did not include money for them in the Agriculture Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. A third project remains funded but is set to relocate from Maryland to Iowa in the coming months as part of a wider USDA reorganization.
Politico reported that all scientists currently working on the parasite have refused to move to Iowa. Researchers studying foodborne parasites, including cyclospora, are instead choosing to retire or leave the USDA's Agricultural Research Service rather than relocate or accept reassignment to other projects. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the Politico report.
Agency response
A USDA spokesperson said none of the research has been disrupted and that work will continue without interruption, placing responsibility for the funding cuts on Congress. The spokesperson added that the Agricultural Research Service is working with research leaders to ensure an orderly transition of the affected programs.
Scale of the outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded more than 17,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 48 states and Washington DC between 1 May and 24 August, making it one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in recent US history. The CDC said at least 11,844 additional cases may still require further investigation and analysis.
