The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has paused diagnostic testing for 27 infectious diseases, including rabies, COVID-19, and chickenpox, as part of agency downsizing under the Department of Health and Human Services.

CDC Suspends Key Infectious Disease Tests Nationwide

On Monday, the CDC posted a list of tests that it either discontinued or made temporarily unavailable.

The list includes tests for rabies, adenovirus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and the oropouche virus, as well as respiratory panels for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B. Some tests remain available commercially.

Since HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took office in February 2025, the CDC has downsized significantly, reported The Hill.

The agency also altered recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine and shortened the childhood immunization schedule in January, changes that prompted disagreement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

There is still ample information on the CDC's website for the diseases that the agency will discontinue testing for.

CDC Leadership, Vaccine Controversy

The CDC faced leadership and vaccine policy turmoil under Kennedy Jr.

Last month, Chris Klomp said he was optimistic about selecting a permanent CDC director after the agency had operated without one since August, following the firings of previous leaders.

In January, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) CEO Albert Bourla called Kennedy's vaccine views "anti-science" and said progress on immunization policy required a leadership change.

He criticized Kennedy's ideological stance and warned that funding cuts to U.S. universities had weakened America's global health research.

Last year, Kennedy reshaped the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointing five members.

These members were known for opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and questioning routine pediatric vaccinations, just before the panel voted on vaccine policy changes.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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