Public health in a shutdown - October 4, 2025

I’ve been sick with a cold this week. Gotta keep this one short as I catch up!

Some huge food recalls were announced this week. A listeria outbreak has sickened 20 people, 19 of which were hospitalized. Four people have died. The affected products were sold across the nation, so it’s worth checking the FDA’s investigation page to make sure you don’t own any of the affected products:

If you’re a corn dog eater, check this recall of 58 million pounds of corn dogs. I can’t even fathom that many corn dogs existing, yet alone the number of people that could be hurt by the wood pieces contaminating the batter. Check your corn dogs:

The FDA has approved another generic form of mifepristone, which is used in medical abortions (and treating Cushing syndrome). This has caused some confusion, as a new FDA approval implies to many that a new drug has been approved. That’s not what happened this week.

Instead, this FDA approval gives a specific pharmaceutical company the ability to make a new generic version of the same medication. Previously, one company made the name brand version of mifepristone and another made a generic version. Now, options include the name brand and two generic versions. Same mifepristone, no matter which version a person takes.

As mifepristone is primarily used for abortions, it’s a highly contentious medication. RFK Jr seems to have it in his sights. This FDA approval is also upsetting many who are anti-abortion. If you come across any confusing rhetoric about mifepristone and this FDA approval, don’t get swept up in the confusion! Remember that no new drug has been approved this week.

The government shutdown earlier this week is likely to have a variety of effects on public health in the coming weeks. It’s flu and hurricane season. Public health staffing and budgets have been slashed several times already this year. The Trump admin is promising more cuts during the shutdown. There will be gaps in data collection that will lead to delayed recalls, slowed outbreak investigations, and limited federal responses to critical public health situations. All of that spells an increase in preventable deaths.

There are still new cases of measles each week in the United States. The outbreak in Canada is continuing to rage on, with Alberta experiencing its first death caused by this outbreak. In this case, an infant died after its premature birth caused by a measles infection contracted by the mother during the pregnancy. These tragic deaths caused by measles are preventable. The MMR vaccine for measles should be completed before a person becomes pregnant, as live vaccines are not recommended for pregnant people. Proper vaccination can prevent further tragic cases like this.

It’s never really a good time for a federal government shutdown, but this shutdown feels particularly precarious. Public health works at its best when experts have the data they need and the funding to execute policy and programs that save lives. Public health has taken many hits this year, and it’s not looking good for the remainder of the year. If you can, call up your representatives and tell them you value public health!

Here’s a pretty good write-up of even more consequences of this shutdown, if you’re looking for more information:

The government shutdown has dominated the news this week. There’s still some other stories on my radar I’d like to share.

That’s all I have for this week. I’m looking forward to beating this cold and getting back to business. Stay healthy out there! Mask up, get your seasonal vaccines, and wash your hands. I’ll see y’all next week.

Professor Batty