CDC Pauses Rabies, Monkeypox Tests; Public Health Concerns

0:00On April 2nd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just hit pauls on diagnostic testing for rabies, monkeypox, and over two dozen other infectious diseases. They posted a list this week showing these tests are unavailable right now from their labs. It's the biggest suspension of tests they've ever done. Officials say it's a temporary move for a routine quality review and some tests should be back online in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the agency is helping state and local partners find other ways to get the testing they need. Experts like Scott Becker from the Association of Public Health Laboratories find it concerning, especially since the reasons aren't fully clear. He points out a catata staffing shortages after recent layoffs and retirement slashed CDC staff by 20 to 25 percent across the board, including labs. This comes after tough criticism of CDC labs during the COVID pandemic, leading to reviews that started back in 2024. Some pauls test cover everyday bugs like those for chickenpox or Epstein bar where commercial options exist, but

1:03others hid rare threats like snail fever parasites or sloth fever virus. State labs in places like New York and California can step in for specialized work while this shakes out. If it's just short term, public health should stay on track without major gaps. That's the story for today. Global news today, driven by