The CDC has “temporarily” paused testing for rabies and pox viruses, the family of viruses that includes smallpox and mpox, according to an update to the agency’s website on Monday. But don’t worry, I’m sure it will all be fine!
Under “normal” (ha, ha, remember those days?) circumstances, the CDC offers testing for dozens of pathogens to assist state and local public health laboratories that aren’t equipped to conduct them. The organization began evaluating its tests in late 2024 as part of an agency wide review.
But DOGE-driven layoffs, hiring freezes and resignations have shrunk the number of qualified scientists who can assist state labs. Their rabies and pox virus teams have lost many of their members. By July, the rabies team will be down to just one person with the clinical expertise to advise state and local officials, and the pox virus team will have none.
The teams already have too few members to offer after-hours advice for states as the agency has long done, according to an official with knowledge of the situation who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of retaliation.
You are probably as tired of winning as I am!
