{"id":2634842,"date":"2026-07-24T16:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ossoff-slams-rfk-jr-in-letter-reiterating-concerns-over-disease-monitoring-funds\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T16:13:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:13:42","slug":"ossoff-slams-rfk-jr-in-letter-reiterating-concerns-over-disease-monitoring-funds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ossoff-slams-rfk-jr-in-letter-reiterating-concerns-over-disease-monitoring-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"Ossoff slams RFK Jr. in letter reiterating concerns over disease monitoring funds"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fossoff-slams-rfk-jr-in-letter-reiterating-concerns-over-disease-monitoring-funds%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2634842&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has criticized Health and human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the decision to cut surveillance programs at the CDC\u2019s FoodNet, which monitors foodborne illnesses like cyclospora. Ossoff previously requested explanations about why the surveillance was reduced in July 2025, focusing on a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis with over 11,000 cases across 41 states.Kennedy has not responded to these concerns. The CDC had scaled back surveillance to only two pathogens, citing changes in the surveillance landscape and claims of redundancy, while Ossoff and others view this as a reckless move that hampers outbreak investigation and containment efforts. recently, the CDC expanded its investigation to include four additional states linked to contaminated produce from Mexico, with nearly 2,000 illnesses and 98 hospitalizations reported. ossoff accuses Kennedy of neglecting public health responsibilities amidst the ongoing outbreak.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3194\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA) sent another letter to Health and Human Services Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8011\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> demanding answers for the cuts to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cdc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"559\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>\u2018s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, which ended the program\u2019s monitoring of cyclospora.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ossoff initially sent a letter to Kennedy on July 16, requesting additional information about why FoodNet reduced surveillance to just two pathogens in July 2025, citing concerns over a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has spread across the country. Kennedy has yet to respond, the senator said in a letter sent Friday.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4662679\/ossoff-rfk-jr-another-letter-cyclosporiasis-monitoring-concerns-self-indulgent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ossoff sends RFK Jr. another letter outlining concerns about cyclosporiasis monitoring funds<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4662630\/cdc-data-measles-rates-35-year-high-recent-outbreaks\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>CDC reveals measles rates hit 35-year high after recent outbreaks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4662102\/cdc-adds-four-states-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigation\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>CDC adds four more states to cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSeventy-two hours have passed since I wrote to you regarding the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, which now exceeds 11,000 cases across 41 states,\u201d Ossoff wrote in the letter. \u201cYou have failed to address my questions regarding your inexplicable decision to terminate the [CDC\u2019s FoodNet] required surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, and the progress of federal efforts to investigate and contain it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his initial letter to Kennedy, Ossoff requested the secretary clarify if FoodNet has restored tracking of cyclospora cayetanensis, why tracking was terminated, and provide an update on investigations seeking the source and scope of the outbreak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour silence amidst an ongoing outbreak of diarrheal disease is indicative of the reckless arrogance with which you demolished America\u2019s public health defense,\u201d Ossoff said in the Friday letter, restating his initial questions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FoodNet is a collaborative program among the CDC, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-agriculture\/\">Department of Agriculture<\/a>, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\">Food and Drug Administration<\/a>, and 10 state health departments. The surveillance area covers 16% of the U.S. population. Ossoff previously called the scaling back a \u201cfoolish and self-indulgent demolition\u201d by Kennedy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/foodnet\/about\/index.html\">CDC\u2019s website<\/a>, the decision to cut surveillance to two pathogens, Salmonella and E. Coli, was because \u201cthe surveillance landscape has changed since the collaboration began in 1995.\u201d Kennedy has also said the cuts addressed \u201credundant surveillance,\u201d while insisting the cyclosporiasis outbreak\u00a0is under control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4655440\/jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4655440\/jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program\/\">JON OSSOFF RIPS RFK JR. FOR \u2018FOOLISH AND SELF-INDULGENT DEMOLITION\u2019 OF CYCLOSPORIASIS TRACKING PROGRAM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Friday, the CDC expanded its investigation into a multistate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4645660\/what-is-cyclosporiasis-high-risk-states\/\">cyclosporiasis<\/a> outbreak, adding four more states linked to contaminated produce from central <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mexico\/\">Mexico<\/a> as federal health officials work to trace one of the largest unknown outbreaks of the parasitic illness in the United States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The center reports at least 1,947 people have fallen ill in the nine-state outbreak, with a total of 98 hospitalizations. There have been no reported deaths at this time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sen. Ossoff demands answers on CDC&#8217;s cyclospora surveillance cuts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2634843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP22207741713498.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[83151,4509,47334,5894,32458],"class_list":["post-2634842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-disease-monitoring","tag-letter","tag-ossoff","tag-politics","tag-rfk-jr"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP22207741713498.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2634842"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634842\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2634852,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634842\/revisions\/2634852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2634843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2634842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2634842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2634842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}