This Week in Healthcare Law and Litigation for July 17, 2026

• The CDC reported a decline in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) for the year 2023, signaling a positive trend in patient safety. • This decrease indicates that hospitals are successfully implementing better infection control measures and safety protocols to protect patients.

• Researchers are exploring the use of ultrasound therapy as a preventative measure to heal damaged joints and stop arthritis before the disease fully develops. • A separate study on the drug DT-109 indicates it may reduce atherosclerosis and vascular calcification while restoring gut barrier function, potentially treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• The CDC, FDA, and state public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections occurring in July 2026. • The outbreak has been linked to the consumption of shredded lettuce and has affected individuals across five different states.

• Federal health agencies, including the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), are requesting significant funding increases to better prepare for future pandemics and public health emergencies. • Concurrent health concerns include a challenging Cyclospora parasite outbreak, with over 1,200 cases reported in Michigan and additional cases in Florida and Georgia.

• Illinois health officials have reported 194 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhea. • The outbreak has spread across more than half of U.S. states, typically transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water.

• The Pharmaceutical Journal reported on several key healthcare developments, including progress toward a single national formulary and the potential introduction of a pharmacy performers list. • The publication highlighted a "stark lack of government response" regarding the valproate redress scheme, signaling ongoing frustration over compensation for affected individuals.

• Health officials are investigating potential outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness causing severe diarrhea, across the United States. • Cases have been reported in 34 states, prompting NBC News and the CDC to release a map tracking the rising infection rates.

• A public health emergency occurred in May 2026 involving the Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The disease is characterized by high mortality rates, yet it currently lacks licensed vaccines, approved therapeutics, and widespread diagnostic implementation.

• The CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments are investigating multiple outbreaks of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis across several U.S. states in 2026. • Authorities are working to identify the specific sources of the infections, though they warn that the actual number of cases is likely higher than reported due to frequent underdiagnosis.

• Researchers have published a new study in Science Translational Medicine detailing how the Epstein-Barr virus triggers immune responses that cause inflammation and nervous system damage in multiple sclerosis patients. • Separately, clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of a treatment that inhibits the PCSK9 protein to significantly lower dangerous LDL cholesterol levels.

• The FDA has approved Lipfendra, a new cholesterol-lowering pill developed by Merck. • Unlike traditional statins, Lipfendra is a PCSK9 inhibitor, utilizing a different mechanism to reduce cholesterol levels in patients.