The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has submitted formal comments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending enhancements to the federal government’s cyclospora outbreak investigation process, including a more comprehensive consideration of exposure pathways (recreational, occupational, water-related) alongside foodborne exposures. The recommendations were submitted in response to CDC’s proposed extension of the Cyclosporiasis National Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire (CNHGQ).
According to a press release, the comments reflect IFPA’s longstanding commitment to advancing science-based outbreak investigations that help public health officials identify sources quickly, accurately and with the strongest available evidence. IFPA’s recommendations come as public health agencies continue to investigate elevated cyclospora case counts in several states.
“Protecting public health and finding the source of outbreaks as quickly as possible are goals we all share,” said Max Teplitski, chief science officer of IFPA. “The best way to achieve that is to ensure investigators systematically consider all likely routes of exposure.”
In its comments, IFPA urged CDC to consider not only food sources, but also drinking water, as well as other environmental exposures (recreational and occupational). This included recommendations to CDC to consider adding structured questions related to drinking water sources, recreational water activities, wastewater-related exposures, septic systems and other environmental factors that may help investigators better understand how cyclospora spreads as environmental and climatic conditions change.
The association also encouraged a review of unresolved historical investigations and a consideration of wastewater surveillance as an additional public health tool to understand how cyclospora circulates through communities.
Throughout the current outbreak response, IFPA has remained actively engaged with federal and state officials, industry leaders, food safety experts and supply chain partners. The association has provided members with regular updates, technical resources, FAQs, expert briefings and opportunities for direct engagement with subject matter experts as new information emerges.
“We need to see this outbreak end and its root cause(s) identified. Looking to the future, we need to expand our thinking about this parasite and seriously consider other routes of exposure that are likely, but have been traditionally less common in the U.S.,” Teplitski said. “We will continue advocating for investigations that are guided by data, informed by science so we can prevent future outbreaks and maintain consumer and industry trust in public health systems.”
IFPA says it welcomes continued dialogue with CDC and other public health partners as the agency reviews comments and considers future improvements to its outbreak investigation framework.
