CDC Cyclospora Lab Shrinks Amid Federal Layoffs

The CDC laboratory that handles outbreaks of the diarrheal parasite *Cyclospora* was reduced from 11 personnel to three, according to Joel Barratt, a molecular parasitologist and assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine who previously led the team. The downsizing follows a broader reduction of CDC staff that began in January 2025.

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President Donald Trump’s administration instituted a “Department of Government Efficiency” that led to mass government layoffs last year. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. oversaw policy changes that included hiring freezes and buyout programs. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883 estimated that the CDC’s total workforce fell by about 3,000 employees—roughly a quarter of the agency—through layoffs and voluntary departures. The size of the cuts to the *Cyclospora* lab was first reported by *Nature* and later detailed by *WIRED*.

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The CDC has not issued a public comment on the specific staffing changes within the *Cyclospora* laboratory. No official response from the agency or the Department of Health and Human Services was identified in the available reporting.

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Barratt, who left the CDC voluntarily in September after eight years, described the environment as “hostile” and said he could no longer “do right by public health” amid the policy overhauls. He recounted informing colleagues that hiring freezes prevented contract renewals, highlighting the impact of the staffing reductions on rapid outbreak response capabilities.

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• “Based on simple math, these outbreak responses—which require rapid, timely responses—are going to be greatly diminished,” — Joel Barratt, Molecular Parasitologist, Emory University

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• “Cyclospora is just one piece. It's making the news right now, but there are other, more dangerous pathogens than cyclospora.” — Joel Barratt

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• “It became a hostile work environment,” — Joel Barratt

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• “I had to sit down with many people in my office and tell them, ‘Look, I'm really sorry we can't renew you because of the hiring freezes.’” — Joel Barratt

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