Congress’ current piecemeal approach to funding government agencies is not winning fans among public health experts, who point to a salmonella outbreak that has spread to 18 states as evidence that the budget impasse is endangering the nation’s health.
The outbreak – which has made approximately 300 people ill so far – “is a grim reminder of the dangers that foodborne diseases present. Only today, our frontline workers — who protect the health of all of us — are hamstrung by the shutdown of the federal government,” said Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA).