Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Apr 3: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily halted diagnostic testing for rabies, mpox and several other infectious diseases, raising concerns among public health experts.

The agency has listed more than two dozen types of tests that are currently unavailable. Officials described the move as a temporary step linked to a “routine review” aimed at maintaining high-quality laboratory standards.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services said some of the suspended tests are expected to resume in the coming weeks, adding that support will continue for state and local partners to access necessary testing.

Experts, however, pointed out that this is the largest such pause in recent years. Scott Becker, head of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, said the scale of the suspension is unusual and the reasons are not entirely clear.

The development follows a significant downsizing of the CDC workforce over the past year, with staffing reportedly dropping by 20–25 per cent. Some specialised labs, including those handling rabies and poxvirus testing, have reportedly lost nearly half their staff.

While certain paused tests relate to common infections that can be handled by commercial labs, others involve rare diseases and specialised diagnostics. State-level laboratories in places like New York and California may help bridge the gap during the interim period.

Experts cautioned that the situation would become concerning if the suspension continues for an extended period, potentially affecting disease surveillance and response capabilities.