CDC Halts Over Two Dozen Lab Tests Including Rabies and Monkeypox Amid Staffing Crisis and Quality Review

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily suspended diagnostic testing for more than two dozen infectious diseases—including rabies, monkeypox, Epstein-Barr virus, and parasitic infections—amid a sweeping internal review and one of the most significant staffing crises in the agency’s history. The move, announced this week, marks the largest single suspension of CDC lab tests in modern memory, raising concerns among public health experts about gaps in the nation’s disease surveillance infrastructure. While the agency insists the pause is temporary, critics warn that the timing—coming on the heels of deep budget cuts, mass layoffs, and a 20% to 25% reduction in workforce—could undermine critical public health functions just as the U.S. faces resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases and emerging pathogens.

Why the CDC Is Pausing Dozens of Lab Tests: A Routine Review or a Sign of Deeper Troubles?

The CDC has attributed the suspension of 28 types of diagnostic testing to a ‘routine review’ aimed at ‘upholding high-quality laboratory testing,’ according to Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the agency. The list of paused tests includes high-profile pathogens like monkeypox (mpox), rabies, and malaria, as well as less commonly tested agents such as the parasitic worm behind ‘snail fever’ (schistosomiasis) and the virus responsible for ‘sloth fever’ (Oropouche fever).

However, public health leaders and former CDC officials point to a confluence of factors driving the decision. Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), called the scope of the pause ‘unprecedented’ and noted that the CDC has paused tests before—but never so many at once. ‘This isn’t just a blip,’ Becker said in an interview. ‘The timing raises questions about whether this is purely a quality initiative or if it’s also a reflection of operational strain.’

The Role of the CDC’s Laboratory Operations in Public Health Security

The CDC’s laboratories serve as the backbone of the U.S. public health system, providing confirmatory testing for rare, dangerous, or newly emerging pathogens that commercial labs often lack the capacity or expertise to handle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC’s testing infrastructure faced intense scrutiny after early missteps in deploying diagnostic kits, leading to a congressional review and internal reforms. In 2024, the agency launched a comprehensive evaluation of its laboratory operations, focusing on efficiency, quality control, and staffing sustainability.

‘The CDC’s labs are not just a backup— they’re a last line of defense,’ said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a former HHS principal deputy secretary and current vice dean at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. ‘When they go offline, even temporarily, it creates blind spots in our ability to detect and respond to outbreaks.’

Staffing Cuts and Workforce Collapse: How Budget Woes Are Reshaping the CDC

The CDC’s decision to pause testing comes on the heels of a dramatic workforce reduction that has slashed staff by an estimated 20% to 25% since 2023, according to estimates from the National Public Health Coalition (NPHC), a group formed by current and former CDC employees in response to the downsizing. The cuts—spread across layoffs, voluntary retirements, nonrenewal of temporary appointments, and attrition—have hit certain divisions especially hard. The poxvirus and rabies labs, for example, have lost about half their prior staff, while the CDC’s malaria branch has seen even more severe reductions, with some units losing up to 70% of their personnel.

• The CDC’s workforce has declined by an estimated 20% to 25% since 2023 due to layoffs, retirements, and nonrenewals of temporary appointments.
• The poxvirus and rabies labs have lost about 50% of their staff, while the malaria branch has been gutted even further.
• The downsizing follows years of budget cuts and congressional pressure to reduce federal spending.

The Human Cost: What Staffing Losses Mean for Disease Surveillance

The loss of experienced scientists and technicians has ripple effects across the agency. ‘When you lose half your team in a specialty lab, you’re not just losing personnel—you’re losing institutional knowledge,’ said one former CDC scientist who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of professional repercussions. ‘Some of these tests take years to validate. If the people who developed the protocols are gone, restarting them isn’t as simple as hiring new staff.’

The NPHC has documented cases where critical expertise has vanished overnight. In one instance, the CDC’s arbovirus lab—a key player in tracking mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus—was forced to halt testing for less common viruses due to understaffing. The ripple effect extends beyond the CDC: state and local health departments, which often rely on the agency for confirmatory testing, are left scrambling.

What Tests Are Affected and Who Will Fill the Gap?

The paused tests span a wide range of pathogens, from common viruses like varicella-zoster (which causes chickenpox and shingles) to exotic threats such as Oropouche fever, a tropical virus that has recently spread to new regions. Other notable exclusions include tests for tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, as well as parasitic infections such as cysticercosis and trichinellosis.

Commercial Lab Capabilities and State-Level Alternatives

While some of the paused tests—like those for Epstein-Barr virus or varicella-zoster—have commercial alternatives, others do not. Becker emphasized that many state public health laboratories, particularly those in New York and California, have the capacity to absorb some of the workload. ‘These labs have been our partners for decades,’ he said. ‘They’re stepping up, but they’re not a full replacement for the CDC’s centralized expertise.’

However, not all states are equally equipped. Rural and under-resourced health departments may struggle to fill the void, creating disparities in access to testing. ‘If you’re in a state without robust public health infrastructure, this pause could mean delayed diagnoses or missed outbreaks,’ said Dr. Marybeth Sexton, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University.

The Broader Implications: Are We Losing Ground in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases?

Public health experts warn that the CDC’s testing pause is more than a bureaucratic hiccup—it’s a symptom of a larger erosion in the nation’s disease surveillance capabilities. The U.S. has seen a resurgence of measles, rising antibiotic-resistant infections, and the re-emergence of pathogens like mumps in communities with low vaccination rates. Meanwhile, tropical diseases such as dengue and chikungunya are appearing in new regions due to climate change and global travel.

‘We can’t afford to weaken our defenses just as the threats are evolving,’ said Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director and president of Resolve to Save Lives. ‘The CDC’s labs are a national asset. When they’re compromised, every American is at greater risk.’

What Happens Next? The Road to Restoring CDC Testing Capacity

The CDC has stated that it expects many of the paused tests to return online within weeks, though the agency has not provided a specific timeline. ‘We are committed to restoring full functionality as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest standards of quality,’ Nixon said. However, the path forward is complicated by ongoing budget uncertainties and the lingering effects of staffing shortages.

Becker and other advocates are calling for increased investment in CDC laboratories, including targeted hiring, training programs, and emergency funding to stabilize operations. ‘This is a wake-up call,’ Becker said. ‘If we don’t address the root causes of these pauses, we’re going to see more gaps, more delays, and potentially more preventable tragedies.’

Key Takeaways: The CDC’s Lab Testing Pause in Context

• The CDC has temporarily suspended 28+ diagnostic tests, including those for rabies, monkeypox, and malaria, citing a routine quality review—but the scope and timing have raised concerns.
• Staffing at the CDC has plummeted by 20% to 25% since 2023 due to layoffs, retirements, and nonrenewals, devastating specialized labs like those for poxviruses and malaria.
• While some commercial and state labs can fill gaps, resource disparities mean rural and underfunded health departments may struggle to compensate.
• Public health experts warn the pause reflects deeper vulnerabilities in U.S. disease surveillance, just as resurgent and emerging pathogens pose new threats.
• The CDC expects tests to return in the coming weeks, but long-term restoration depends on staffing recovery and sustained funding.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CDC’s Lab Testing Pause