Government Closes Parasite Research as 17,000 Americans Get Sick

The Trump administration is shutting down most USDA research into cyclospora — a parasite spread through contaminated food — after Congress cut its funding. This comes as over 17,000 people fell ill across 48 states and DC between May and August 2026, one of the worst food poisoning outbreaks in recent US history. Officials say research continues, but scientists refused to relocate to Iowa, and all lab work has stopped.