The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily suspended diagnostic testing for more than two dozen infectious diseases, including rabies and monkeypox. Government officials attribute the pause to a routine review aimed at maintaining laboratory testing quality. An industry expert noted that staffing issues could also be a contributing factor, and specialized state laboratories are available to manage some of the testing workload during this period.
Overview of Testing Pause
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a temporary halt in its diagnostic testing services for over two dozen infectious diseases. The agency published a list detailing the unavailable tests this week. Among the affected diseases are rabies, monkeypox, Epstein-Barr virus, and varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. The suspension also includes tests for less common agents, such as parasitic worms responsible for "snail fever" and the virus causing "sloth fever."
Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), stated that while the CDC has previously paused laboratory testing, the current suspension involves a larger number of tests than previously observed.
Official Statement and Rationale
Andrew Nixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC, confirmed the pause is temporary. He described it as part of:
"a routine review to uphold our commitment to high quality laboratory testing."
Nixon indicated that some tests are expected to resume in the coming weeks and that the CDC is prepared to support state and local partners in accessing necessary public health testing during this period.
Context and Contributing Factors
Becker of APHL noted that the complete reasons for the expanded pause are not entirely clear. He suggested that staffing issues could contribute to tests being taken offline.
The CDC's laboratory operations have been under evaluation since 2024, following criticisms that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. A work group was established to review the agency's testing procedures at that time.
Staffing Reductions
The temporary testing suspension follows a significant downsizing of the CDC workforce over the past year. Staffing levels across the agency, including its laboratories, have reportedly decreased by an estimated 20% to 25%. This reduction is attributed to a combination of layoffs, retirements, resignations, and the non-renewal of temporary appointments.
According to the National Public Health Coalition, an organization comprising current and former CDC workers, the poxvirus and rabies laboratories experienced approximately a 50% reduction in staff. The malaria branch reportedly faced an even greater reduction.
Alternative Testing Capacity
Becker confirmed that specialized state laboratories, including those in New York and California, possess the capability to manage some of the diagnostic testing demand during the CDC's hiatus. He expressed that:
concerns regarding the pauses would become significant if they were to become permanent.