Deep staffing and funding cuts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have weakened the country's ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, The Guardian reported, citing former employees.
Between 25% and 30% of the CDC's workforce has left, while about 80% of its senior leadership positions lack permanent appointees. Cuts have sharply reduced expertise in diseases including cyclospora, Ebola, mpox and rabies.
The warnings come as the United States faces outbreaks of measles, hantavirus, cyclospora and other diseases. Former officials said staff shortages and inconsistent federal guidance could delay efforts to detect and contain outbreaks.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service■
