LOCAL

Minnesotans among those ill in multi-state Cyclospora outbreak

The Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a Cyclospora outbreak linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco brand bagged garden salads. Seventy-six cases have been confirmed across six states, including 13 from Minnesota. Sixteen cases outside of Minnesota have required hospitalization and no deaths have been reported. Onset of illness for all states ranges from May 11, 2020 through June 14, 2020.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite spread through ingestion of fresh produce or water that has been contaminated by infected feces. People with cyclosporiasis may experience watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, weight loss, and nausea within two to 14 days of exposure. Symptoms can persist for weeks to months if not treated.

Health officials recommend not eating bagged garden salads containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage labeled under the following brands: ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad, Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Garden Salad. This recommendation does not apply to other bagged salads from these retail stores. CDC also recommends practicing safe produce handling and contacting your health care provider or health department if you are experiencing symptoms.

Minnesota Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC: Cyclospora Infection

NATIONAL

U.S. Senate HELP Committee seeks public comments on pandemic preparedness white paper

Earlier this month, the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) released a “Planning for the Next Pandemic” white paper, which outlines five recommendations for pandemic preparedness based on lessons learned during COVID-19. The HELP Committee seeks public input via email (pandemicpreparedness@help.senate.gov) by Friday, June 26, 2020 at 5pm ET.

The paper summarizes the challenges in preparedness planning over the last two decades and identifies gaps in a coordinated response between Congress and federal, state, and local agencies or departments. The five recommendations include:

1. Accelerating the research and development of tests, treatments, and vaccines
2. Expanding emerging infectious disease surveillance
3. Building and maintaining stockpiles and improving distribution of supplies
4. Improving state and local response capacity
5. Improving coordinated response during a national public health crisis

The One Health Commission’s informal coalition of U.S. One Health partners requests One Health professionals to provide comments. The coalition also recommends that the HELP Committee pass the Advancing Emergency Preparedness through One Health Act of 2019 (S. 1903/H.R. 3771), which would support and sustain a coordinated, inter-agency response across the federal government using a One Health framework.

U.S. Senate HELP Committee white paper: Planning for the Next Pandemic
Advancing Emergency Preparedness through One Health Act of 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Scientists keep the conversation going about emerging diseases and fragmented forests

COVID-19 has focused much of the world’s attention on its economic devastation and failures in coordinated public health responses. Environmental scientists are also keeping the correlation between deforestation and disease outbreaks in focus, using COVID-19 as an example of zoonotic disease spillover which has the potential to severely challenge countries’ preparedness and economic resilience.

Plus, deforestation has not stopped in the midst of COVID-19 shutdowns. While governments focused on responding to the pandemic over the last few months, illegal logging and mining continued with eased regulations in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. This, scientists warn, could increase the risk of future infectious disease outbreaks.

Last year, the world lost 9.3 million acres of tropical primary rainforest to agricultural expansion, logging, wildfires, and mining. These are old-growth forests which are important carbon sinks that also support rich biodiversity. These biodiverse forests provide food for humans living nearby and are essential habitats for wildlife. Their destruction could increase human-animal interaction pathways or remove sources of pathogen dilution.

National Public Radio
Landscape Ecology