Osterholm Update Cyclospora: Then and Now
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Jul 30, 2026 A deep look at the rising cyclospora outbreak and how current response compares to a 1996 produce-linked crisis. Critiques of public health communication and supply-chain challenges. Practical consumer guidance on produce and disinfecting claims. Brief updates on Ebola in the DRC, measles resurgence, early COVID-19 signs, and an unusual West Nile surge.
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Personal Dedication To Wildfire-Affected Communities
- Michael Osterholm dedicated the episode to those affected by recent Ontario and northern Minnesota wildfires.
- He described personal ties: his cabin near the Boundary Waters and gratitude for firefighters standing between the blaze and his property.
1996 Raspberries Mistaken For Strawberries
- Michael Osterholm recalled the 1996 multistate outbreak where states prematurely blamed strawberries.
- The real vehicle was Guatemalan raspberries, and premature claims harmed the strawberry industry.
Age Patterns Reveal Likely Food Vehicle
- Age distribution offers clues: underrepresentation of children suggests a vegetable/leafy-green source because kids avoid leafy greens.
- Osterholm uses age as a rapid epidemiologic indicator of likely food vehicle.
