In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scaled back active foodborne-disease surveillance through the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). FoodNet spans 10 states and covers about 54 million Americans, and it previously included active monitoring for eight pathogens, including Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The network now actively monitors only STEC and Salmonella. The CDC cited funding shortfalls and reduced federal resources as the reason for narrowing surveillance. The agency stated that it will maintain FoodNet infrastructure and data quality while prioritizing core activities after the reporting reduction.
In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dramatically, but quietly, scaled back a food safety surveillance system, cutting active tracking from eight top foodborne infections down to just two, according to a report by NBC News. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)-a network of surveillance sites that spans 10 states and covers about 54 million Americans (16 percent of the US population)-previously included active monitoring for eight infections from pathogens. Those include Campylobacter, Cyclospora, , Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), , , and . Now the network is only monitoring for STEC and Salmonella.
"Funding has not kept pace with the resources required to maintain the continuation of FoodNet surveillance for all eight pathogens," the CDC document said, according to NBC.
A CDC spokesperson told the outlet that "Although FoodNet will narrow its focus to Salmonella and STEC, it will maintain both its infrastructure and the quality it has come to represent. Narrowing FoodNet's reporting requirements and associated activities will allow FoodNet staff to prioritize core activities."
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