CDC temporarily halts testing for several infectious diseases amid staffing shortages

The CDC has temporarily halted testing for rabies, human herpesvirus, and several other infectious diseases, according to a list the agency released Monday. The federal agency, which normally supports diagnostic capabilities at state and local public health labs, has been unable to sustain its testing operations due to staff departures. The suspension affects more than two dozen types of diagnostic tests and undercuts the CDC's core mission to monitor and respond to disease threats. State and local health departments that rely on the CDC's laboratory support for confirmatory testing may now face delays in diagnosing and tracking these infections. The halt comes as public health infrastructure nationwide continues to face staffing challenges and raises questions about disease surveillance capacity during a period when the federal workforce has been in flux.