A cyclospora outbreak affecting thousands of people has drawn attention to the federal government’s response and public communications strategy. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb acknowledged that the current administration has done a good job isolating and identifying the cyclospora pathogen, but stated that the spread is not “under control yet” and said federal officials need to improve communication with the public.
The outbreak, now two months into its spread, has been characterized as a communications challenge for the Trump administration. According to coverage, confusing messages and questions about central leadership coordination have left many members of the public unclear about key information regarding the parasitic illness.
Cyclospora is a parasitic disease that has prompted outbreaks in multiple locations. Health officials have been working to identify the source of contamination and contain the spread, though experts point to ongoing gaps in how information is being conveyed to the American public about the outbreak’s status and recommendations for prevention.
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