The CDC has paused testing for rabies and pox viruses, according to a March 30 update on its website; the agency did not cite a specific reason. The move comes as national lab capacity faces mounting strain from prolonged workforce instability and leadership turnover.
By July, the CDC’s rabies team is expected to be reduced to a single qualified expert, while the pox virus team will have no remaining staff, according to an April 1 The New York Times report. As of this week, 27 CDC tests are unavailable, down from nearly 50 in early 2025.
Public health leaders warn the testing suspensions could weaken the nation’s ability to respond to outbreaks. Only two state public health labs — in New York and California — are currently equipped to conduct comprehensive rabies testing, with the CDC playing a key role in surveillance and confirmation, according to the Times.
The pause follows more than a year of internal disruption at the agency. The White House has delayed nominating a permanent CDC director, allowing Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to continue overseeing the agency beyond the March 26 deadline. The CDC has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since August, raising concerns among public health experts.
The agency is also contending with measles outbreaks, staff attrition and legal uncertainty tied to recent changes in its vaccine advisory structure.
During a March 25 meeting, Dr. Bhattacharya addressed staff concerns about ongoing instability, citing a difficult year marked by job cuts, leadership gaps and a fatal shooting at the CDC’s Atlanta campus in August.
Dr. Bhattacharya said President Donald Trump is expected to nominate a permanent CDC director soon and that his goal is to leave the agency in “a solid, secure place” as it works to restore core functions.
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