Amid staffing cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency’s response to cyclospora outbreaks has been severely hampered. Joel Barratt, who previously led the CDC team responding to such parasites, warns that rapid outbreak responses now face significant challenges.

The lab responsible for cyclospora was downsized from 11 people to just three in 2025, leaving fewer hands to tackle a growing number of public health crises. Nearly 7,000 cases across the US have been reported this year, with Michigan alone identifying over 4,300.

Meanwhile, other pressing issues such as an Ebola outbreak in Congo and domestic outbreaks of measles and salmonella further stretch CDC resources. Professor Amira Roess highlights that, while the techniques for investigating these outbreaks are well-known, a shortage of personnel can significantly hinder progress.

Barratt left the agency in September 2025, citing a hostile work environment due to sweeping policy changes under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He notes that, without sufficient staff, rapid and effective responses to such health threats become increasingly difficult.