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During confirmation hearing Wednesday, Trump’s pick tells Senate health committee she will ‘never betray the science’Erica Schwartz, the Trump administration’s latest nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), faced sharp questioning from senators who pressed her to say whether she would stand up to her boss, the health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.During her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Schwartz, a deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration, told the Senate health committee she “will never betray the science” and pledged to use “radical transparency” to rebuild public trust. But she repeatedly deflected questions about how she would handle pressure from Kennedy, a leader in the anti-vaccine movement who has overseen months of turmoil at the agency and made controversial changes to US vaccine policies. Continue reading...

• Clinicians in southeast Michigan and northern Ohio are reporting a surge of gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensi. • The outbreak is characterized by sudden, explosive diarrhea, though the CDC is reportedly lagging in its tracking and response efforts. • Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya has addressed staff via internal email regarding the agency's response to the outbreak.

• The CDC confirmed 843 cases of Cyclospora across 31 states as of July 9, 2026, while a separate, larger outbreak in Michigan has surpassed 1,562 reports. • Health officials have not yet identified a specific food source responsible for the infections, though the outbreak persists through the summer season. • This situation is critical as it requires urgent medical attention for severe dehydration and specific antibiotic treatment, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Parasite cyclospora spreads through produce and water contaminated with feces and causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasisThe US Centers for Disease Prevention has been working to find the source of a parasitic illness that causes “explosive”, watery diarrhea, with more than 400 cases of the sickness reported across 18 states.The parasite, cyclospora, spreads through raw produce and water contaminated with human feces – and it causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, whose symptoms include cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and vomiting. The most commonly reported symptom is “watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements”, according to the CDC. Continue reading...

• The CDC paused diagnostic testing for rabies, mpox, and over 24 other diseases in March 2026 following significant staffing reductions. • As of July 1, the agency has not provided public clarity regarding the restoration status of these critical diagnostic services. • This pause creates a gap in public health surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for high-risk infectious diseases.

• The CDC's malaria testing branch faced severe budget or operational cuts in spring 2026, surpassing the reductions seen in the rabies lab. • These cuts threaten the ability to identify specific malaria species, which is critical for determining the correct medical treatment for patients. • Separately, a June 2026 trial indicated that daily probiotics may enhance antidepressant efficacy in seniors, while two other trials showed Paxlovid does not significantly reduce hospitalizations for vaccinated high-risk adults.

• The CDC is ending its federal measles diagnostic testing program, shifting the responsibility for these tests to state laboratories. • While state labs already handle the majority of measles testing, critics are alarmed that the loss of federal oversight could impact surveillance and response times. • This policy shift reflects a transition toward decentralized public health monitoring, though concerns remain regarding the consistency of testing capabilities across different states.

• JAMA Network Open has published a taxpayer-funded study on COVID-19 vaccines that federal officials at the CDC previously declined to release. • The study examines vaccine efficacy and safety, raising questions about why the CDC initially squelched the data and whether the decision was based on political motivations or a desire to protect public confidence. • This controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding government transparency and the potential suppression of scientific data during the pandemic response.

• A study examining COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness was finally published after being blocked from inclusion in a weekly federal government report by the CDC. • The publication follows a separate effort by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who petitioned the FDA to revoke the authorization of all COVID-19 vaccines. • The FDA denied Kennedy's petition three months later, maintaining that vaccines are safe and effective based on clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants.

• A study confirming the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines was published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open after being blocked by a CDC journal. • The research found the vaccine was approximately 55% effective against hospitalizations and reduced emergency department and urgent care visits by 50%. • The publication gained significant attention because political appointees from the Trump administration previously prevented the findings from appearing in a government health publication.

• The CDC canceled the publication of a COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness study originally scheduled for its flagship Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) in April. • CDC leadership blocked the report citing "methodologic weaknesses," though the study has since been released for public review. • Dr. F. Perry Wilson of the Yale School of Medicine highlighted the incident, raising questions about transparency and the potential suppression of data by health officials.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to formally end its hantavirus response, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing acting director Jay Bhattacharya. • The decision follows a cruise ship outbreak that occurred nearly two months prior, which resulted in three fatalities. • This wind-down signifies the conclusion of the official public health emergency response to this specific cluster of infections.

• MedPage Today reports on several critical health trends, including a progesterone supply shortage affecting patients, clinicians, and pharmacists. • Experts warn that extreme heat, rather than infectious diseases, may represent the primary health risk for attendees at the upcoming World Cup. • The news digest also highlights systemic shifts, such as a proposed overhaul of the CDC under Donald Trump and a journal editor's resignation over AI policies.

Number of people infected now tops 1,000 though health officials say the global risk remains lowSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, officials said on Thursday.The continued Ebola outbreak in the DRC comes as Canada, Mexico and the US jointly host the Fifa World Cup, attracting visitors from around the world. The officials said the outbreak, now the third largest on record, required “strong immediate support”, but that the global risk remained low. Continue reading...

• The head of Africa's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Tuesday, June 16, that the current Ebola outbreak in Congo could become the worst on record. • A critical failure in containment has occurred, with tens of thousands of individuals who were in contact with infected patients remaining untraced. • This lack of contact tracing significantly increases the risk of uncontrolled community transmission and a larger-scale health crisis.

Medical societies endorse ACOG’s schedule, saying maternal vaccines are ‘key element’ of protectionThe leading professional organization for obstetricians and gynecologists in the US has launched its first maternal vaccination schedule and diverged for the first time from federal recommendations.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has long recommended giving the shots during pregnancy, but this is the first time releasing them as an official schedule. Continue reading...

• On June 2, 2026, the CDC issued a travel alert for seven Sub-Saharan African countries—Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Somalia—following a severe diphtheria outbreak. • The alert follows alarming 2025 WHO data documenting 20,412 suspected cases and 1,252 deaths across Africa, highlighting a critical public health crisis. • The warning serves as a vital notice for travelers and unvaccinated Americans to ensure proper immunization before visiting the affected regions.

• A phase II trial published in Nature Medicine found that combining the drug apitegromab with tirzepatide (Zepbound) effectively preserves lean muscle mass, potentially mitigating the muscle loss known as "Ozempic butt." • Massachusetts General Hospital has established a novel vascular clinic specifically designed to provide critical care to homeless individuals to prevent amputations caused by peripheral artery disease. • KFF Health News is exploring the role of overlooked social connections as a potential preventative measure against suicide.

• The Africa CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a joint continental response plan to combat an Ebola outbreak. • Running from June to November 2026, the initiative seeks to raise US$ 518 million to fund rapid detection, clinical care, and emergency coordination. • The "One Response" approach integrates governments and partners to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and community engagement across affected regions.

• Former CDC director Tom Frieden has warned that upcoming changes to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will significantly reduce the CDC's presence in foreign countries. • Frieden argues that slashing this international infrastructure leaves the U.S. more vulnerable to global health threats, citing current hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks as critical examples. • This shift is significant because a diminished global footprint may hinder the ability to detect and manage emerging diseases before they reach domestic borders.

• The CDC has identified containing the spread of Ebola as its top priority amidst ongoing health concerns. • The Trump administration is reportedly disregarding established infectious disease playbooks, raising concerns about the federal response to outbreaks. • The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is offering funding to accelerate the development of vaccines.

• The CDC has issued an interim final rule expanding a public health entry ban to include Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who have recently traveled to specific regions. • The ban specifically targets Green Card holders who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. • This measure revises existing regulations on public health entry ban exceptions to tighten border controls and mitigate potential health risks.

• The CDC said on May 2, 2026, it is responding to a deadly outbreak of Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, among passengers and crew on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. • The agency said no cases have been confirmed in the United States from the outbreak and that the risk of a pandemic and the overall risk to American travelers is “extremely low.” • Andes virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe and potentially deadly lung disease, making the outbreak notable for public health monitoring.

Health officials to take ‘proactive measures’ in response to the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in the DRC and UgandaSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailUS health authorities confirmed on Monday that an American has developed Ebola after being exposed during their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); officials also said that they are taking “proactive measures” to protect US citizens in response to the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in the DRC and Uganda.Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on Monday and said the individual was being evacuated to Germany. They developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday, said Satish K Pillai, an incident manager for the CDC’s Ebola response in a press conference. Continue reading...

• The CDC confirmed 51 additional measles cases, bringing the nationwide U.S. outbreak to 1,893 infections as of May 16, 2026. • The agency said all but nine cases were locally acquired, 27 outbreaks have been reported this year, and 92% of patients were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. • The outbreak is significant because measles spreads quickly in under-vaccinated communities, and the U.S. is now on pace to exceed last year’s 2,288 cases if transmission continues.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees are reluctant to return to work following a deadly shooting at the agency's Atlanta headquarters on Friday. • The shooting incident has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among CDC staff about workplace safety and security protocols. • CDC leadership is facing pressure to address employee concerns and implement enhanced security measures to restore confidence in the workplace.

• Seventeen passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship are being flown to the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, the same facility used during the early COVID-19 pandemic, after potential hantavirus exposure aboard the vessel. • CDC officials confirmed three deaths related to the outbreak and are monitoring at least nine Americans across six states—Arizona, California, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey—for possible infections, though none have shown symptoms yet. • Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, stated the outbreak "is on the end of its run right now," noting hantavirus has very limited person-to-person transmission capability and is a "rare exception" for spread.

US CDC personnel are reportedly meeting ship in Canary Islands to accompany Americans on a flight to NebraskaThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reportedly sending personnel to the Canary Islands to meet the cruise ship affected by the hantavirus outbreak, with plans to accompany American passengers back to the US on a chartered flight and place them into quarantine in Nebraska.An additional CDC team is already headed to Nebraska, according to unnamed sources who spoke with CNN. The sources indicated that passengers are expected to undergo quarantine measures there to help prevent any possible spread of the virus. Nebraska is home to both the federally supported National Quarantine Unit and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Continue reading...