Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday blamed the Trump administration for cutting a team tracking cyclospora cases as cryptocurrency bettors forecast more than 5,000 infections nationwide by month’s end.
Cyclospora Cases to Shoot Up?
Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket currently assigns an 89% chance of more than 5,000 confirmed cases of the intestinal illness by July 31, up from 55% a week ago. The likelihood of the total crossing 10,000 remained low at 15%.
A bet on Kalshi, meanwhile, prices in a 60% chance that the tally would cross 16,000 by the year’s end.
Kalshi and Benzinga have an existing data collaboration agreement.
In the past, prediction markets have been criticized for permitting bets on outcomes involving human loss or injury.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 4,173 domestically acquired cases since May 1 and 308 hospitalizations across 41 states. More than 7,400 additional cases are still under investigation and await laboratory confirmation.
Warren Attacks Trump Administration
Sen. Elizabeth Warren blamed President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for slashing the team responsible for tracking cyclospora cases by more than 70%.
It’s worth recalling that the 11-person team responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks throughout the country was reduced to three in September last year, according to a report by CNN.
“We should be investing in public health — not gutting it,” the senior Democrat said.
The Department of Health and Human Services didn’t immediately return Benzinga’s request for comment.
What You Should Know
According to the CDC, cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which spreads through contaminated food or water.
The authorities linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in Mexico. A lab test on a lettuce sample initially seemed positive, but officials later said it was a false positive.
Cyclosporiasis is seasonal, peaking from May through August. The U.S. recorded about 2,700 cases last year.
Kennedy Jr. said earlier this week that the Cyclospora outbreak was “under control” and denied that staffing cuts weakened surveillance efforts
Photo Courtesy: Bryan J. Scrafford on Shutterstock.com
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