Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised the alarm over what she describes as the administration’s “disastrous” handling of the cyclosporiasis outbreak. In a strongly worded letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., she demanded further details and indicated that she suspects political factors might be contributing to the situation.
“I am writing to address the administration’s catastrophic response to the largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history. This crisis, along with the botched management, prompts concerns about potential incompetence and corruption,” Warren stated in her letter. She emphasized, “As the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, you bear the responsibility for directing the federal response. However, the shortcomings in dealing with this health emergency highlight significant issues in decision-making processes.”
ABC News has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services for a response to Warren’s letter.
Currently, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 24,000 confirmed or suspected cases of the parasitic gastrointestinal illness across 47 states. Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in the death of two individuals and over 740 have required hospitalization. In contrast, a typical year would see about 3,000 such cases.
The Food and Drug Administration has traced nearly 10,000 outbreak-related cases back to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which was distributed across 17 states, leading to a recall.
In her letter, Warren asserts that Taco Bell, where some of the tainted lettuce was traced, “provided earlier and seemingly clearer guidance to consumers than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and other federal food safety agencies.”
Warren also