USDA Shelves Cyclospora Research Amid Funding Cuts

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shelved two research projects studying cyclospora, a foodborne parasite, due to funding cuts. The two projects were defunded by Congress earlier in the year, according to Politico. The third project, which is still funded, is being relocated from Maryland to Iowa as part of a broader USDA reorganization.

The relocation of the third project has been met with resistance from scientists, with all researchers working on the parasite declining to relocate to Iowa. Instead, they are either retiring, being reassigned to a different project, or leaving the USDA's research services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded over 17,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 48 states plus Washington DC, from May 1 to August 24. Additionally, at least 11,844 more cases may require further investigation and analysis, making it one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in recent US history.

## What's at Stake The decision to shelve the research projects comes at a critical time, as the outbreak of cyclosporiasis continues to spread across the country. The USDA's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center near Washington, DC, which was conducting the research, is being shuttered and its work is being moved to a location in Iowa. The loss of research capacity and expertise could hinder efforts to understand and combat the parasite.

## Impact on Research The USDA's Agricultural Research Service is working to ensure an orderly transition of the programs, but the loss of scientists and research capacity is likely to have a significant impact on the study of cyclospora. The spokesperson for the USDA stated that none of the research has been disrupted, and research will continue without disruption, but the relocation of the third project and the defunding of the other two projects raise concerns about the future of cyclospora research.

The decision to defund the research projects was made by Congress, which did not appropriate funding for the two research projects for the 2026 fiscal year in the Agriculture Appropriations Act. The USDA spokesperson pointed to Congress over the funding cuts, stating that the agency is working with research leaders to ensure an orderly transition of the programs.

## Next Steps The relocation of the third project and the defunding of the other two projects will likely have significant implications for the study of cyclospora and the response to the ongoing outbreak. As the outbreak continues to spread, the need for research and understanding of the parasite is more critical than ever. The USDA and Congress will need to work together to ensure that the necessary resources and funding are allocated to support the study of cyclospora and to combat the outbreak.