CDC Resumes Critical Testing Services for Hepatitis and STIs Following Workforce Reductions

Recent layoffs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have led to the temporary closure of crucial laboratories responsible for advanced genetic testing related to hepatitis outbreaks and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. These closures have sparked concerns among public health experts about the capacity to monitor and respond to emerging infectious diseases effectively.

Among those affected were all 27 scientists working in the nation's only lab dedicated to sophisticated genetic analyses for hepatitis. This facility had been actively investigating a multi-state outbreak when the layoffs occurred. According to Scott Becker, head of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the loss of these experts leaves health officials 'flying blind' in outbreak management. The association has formally requested that the employees be reinstated, emphasizing that their expertise fills a unique gap within the federal health system.

In addition to the hepatitis lab, a CDC facility tasked with tracking antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea—often called 'super gonorrhea'—was also shut down. Overall, approximately 2,400 CDC employees faced layoffs, affecting the agency's ability to monitor and combat infectious diseases.

CDC laboratories have historically played a pivotal role in identifying and tracking hepatitis C outbreaks, which have been linked to settings such as dialysis centers, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities. For instance, a recent hepatitis C case in Florida involved nine infected individuals, with advanced genetic testing used to determine if others had contracted the same strain, aiding in understanding disease transmission pathways.

Dr. Judith Feinberg, a renowned infectious disease specialist, highlighted the significance of the CDC's genetic testing capabilities, noting that it helps control disease spread by revealing how viruses evolve and migrate. Hepatitis C remains a major concern, with tens of thousands of new cases annually in the U.S. It can be transmitted through contaminated food, shared needles, or blood contact and is a leading cause of liver cancer.

Furthermore, the recent shutdown also impacted the CDC's STI laboratory, which was the only facility in the country performing comprehensive testing for antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. With over 2 million STIs diagnosed in 2023—including more than 600,000 cases of gonorrhea—the loss of this lab hampers the ability to detect and respond to drug-resistant infections promptly.

Colleen Kelley, an infectious disease expert, expressed concerns that without these laboratories, health officials lose critical insights into infection trends, making it harder to raise alarms or develop effective treatment strategies. The situation underscores the importance of maintaining robust public health infrastructure to combat the increasing burden of infectious diseases.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-cdc-key-labs-hepatitis-sti.html