USDA shelves two cyclospora research projects amid relocations and budget cuts
The Trump administration has defunded two of three USDA cyclospora research programs as the parasite sickens tens of thousands of Americans.
What happened
The Trump administration has shuttered two of three USDA research projects studying cyclospora, the foodborne parasite that has infected over 17,000 confirmed cases across 48 states and Washington DC from May 1 to August 24. Congress defunded the two projects at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center outside Washington DC for fiscal year 2026 under the Agriculture Appropriations Act. The third project will be relocated from Maryland to Iowa as part of a broader USDA reorganization, but all scientists working on that project have declined to relocate, according to Politico's reporting citing people familiar with the plans and internal documents. Scientists researching cyclospora and other foodborne parasites are retiring or leaving the USDA's Agricultural Research Service rather than relocating or being reassigned. A USDA spokesperson stated that "research will continue without disruption" and attributed the funding cuts to Congress.
Context
Cyclospora outbreaks represent a significant public health threat, with the current outbreak constituting one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in recent US history. The CDC has identified at least 11,844 additional suspected cases requiring further investigation. The defunding and scientist departures occur while active outbreak response and prevention efforts remain ongoing. The combination of congressional budget cuts and relocation requirements is resulting in the loss of institutional expertise and research capacity at a moment when cyclospora surveillance and understanding remain critical to controlling the outbreak and preventing future occurrences.
What's disputed
Reuters could not immediately verify Politico's reporting. A USDA spokesperson disputed the characterization of disruption, stating research will continue, though this does not address the loss of personnel or capacity reduction.