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CDC Halts Rabies Testing Amid Staffing Cuts, Public Health Concerns

4/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has paused testing for rabies and pox viruses, affecting state and local labs.
The pause follows staffing cuts that leave the rabies team with only one expert by July, raising concerns about public health preparedness.
State laboratories are scrambling to secure contracts with commercial laboratories to fill the gap, while the CDC frames the pause as part of a routine review.

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Story summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has paused testing for rabies and pox viruses, affecting state and local labs.
The pause follows staffing cuts that leave the rabies team with only one expert by July, raising concerns about public health preparedness.
State laboratories are scrambling to secure contracts with commercial laboratories to fill the gap, while the CDC frames the pause as part of a routine review.