The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suspended diagnostic laboratory testing for rabies, monkeypox, and dozens of other infectious diseases as part of an agency evaluation following recent downsizing. The pause affects critical testing services that healthcare providers and state laboratories depend on for diagnosing rare or complex infectious diseases. The suspension comes amid broader organizational changes at the federal public health agency. The move raises concerns about potential delays in disease diagnosis and outbreak response capabilities during the evaluation period.
CDC's Suspension of Diagnostic Testing Services
- ▪The CDC has paused its diagnostic testing for a number of other infectious diseases beyond rabies and monkeypox
- ▪The CDC has paused its diagnostic testing for rabies
- ▪The CDC has paused dozens of types of lab testing
Impact of Agency Downsizing and Evaluation
- ▪The CDC paused lab testing in the wake of agency downsizing
Perspective of Public health officials and medical professionals
- ▪Healthcare providers rely on CDC laboratory services for testing diseases that are not available at state or local laboratories
- ▪The suspension of CDC diagnostic testing for rabies and monkeypox may delay critical diagnoses for patients with suspected infections
Perspective of CDC leadership
- ▪The CDC characterizes the laboratory testing pause as part of a systematic evaluation to improve agency operations
- ▪The CDC's testing suspension is intended to be temporary while the agency assesses its laboratory capacity and priorities
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