Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cyclosporiasis Cases Might Be Slowing As Infection Count Tops 24,000, Data Indicate
ABC News: More Than 24,000 Cyclosporiasis Infections Reported As New Cases Appear To Slow: CDC
Cases of cyclosporiasis have topped 24,000, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are at least 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, including 740 hospitalizations, the data shows. The agency is also aware of at least 10,455 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed. The rate of increase appears to have slowed, with only about 2,000 more cases recorded over the last week. The previous week saw more than 22,000 cases recorded, a jump of over 10,000 from the week prior. (Kekatos, 8/12)
The Hill: FDA Assures Americans Fresh Produce Is Safe After Cyclospora Outbreak
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is assuring Americans that they should feel confident eating fresh produce again, seeking to ease concerns over the nation’s food supply after a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce spread across more than a dozen states. “We have the safest food supply in the world,” acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said in a Tuesday interview with CNBC. “Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce including leafy greens at this point.” (Swai, 8/12)
On measles, RSV, and Ebola —
CBS News: As Measles Outbreaks Grow In The U.S., Maps And Charts Show A Record Number Of Cases
So far in 2026, the U.S. has recorded the most measles cases in more than three decades as outbreaks spread in multiple states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows. By mid-July, the number had already surpassed all of 2025, which had been the worst year in recent history with more than 2,200 confirmed cases. Ongoing outbreaks have put the U.S. at risk of losing its official measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000. (Manthey, 8/12)
CIDRAP: Nirsevimab Linked To Reduction In RSV-Related Antibiotic Prescribing
Administering the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab to infants in primary care reduced outpatient antibiotic prescribing for respiratory infections, according to a study by researchers with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of hospitalization in children younger than 1 year old and is estimated to be responsible for one out of every three hospitalizations for acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). It's also a common reason for antibiotic use: Roughly half of children hospitalized with RSV, and nearly one-third of those who show up at outpatient clinics with RSV, receive an antibiotic. (Dall, 8/12)
CIDRAP: DR Congo Ebola Outbreak On Track To Be Largest In History
Today during general remarks, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, of the World Health Organization (WHO) said the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the world’s largest, outpacing the West African outbreak of 2014 to 2016, which saw more than 11,000 people die. “The outbreak had a big head start, it is still way ahead of us, and we are playing catch-up,” Tedros said. (Soucheray, 8/12)
