CDC scraps plan to help Texas schools curb measles over layoffs, employee says
The recent decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to scrap a plan to assist in curbing measles in Texas schools has raised concerns among staff working on the agency’s response to this year’s record outbreak of the virus. According to an agency employee, some staff members were warned that they could face layoffs, prompting the CDC to reconsider their plans.
Initially, CDC officials had considered expanding their services to schools in Texas, offering onsite assessments to identify potential issues with ventilation and air filtration systems that could be contributing to the spread of the virus. Dylan Neu, a biomedical engineer for the CDC’s National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), had led ventilation assessments in Texas and highlighted the importance of on-site inspections in identifying critical errors.
During their assessments at hospitals treating measles patients, Neu and his team identified various issues, such as incorrectly pressurized isolation rooms and improperly installed air filters. These findings underscored the need for hands-on assessments to ensure that facilities are equipped to prevent the spread of infectious diseases effectively.
However, Neu and other NIOSH employees received notices of potential layoffs, following Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent wave of workforce reductions. This uncertainty has disrupted ongoing response efforts, with Neu expressing concerns about the impact on future deployments and emergency responses that rely on NIOSH’s expertise in ventilation and contamination control.
The layoffs have also affected NIOSH’s capacity to respond to requests for health hazard evaluations, further hampering the agency’s ability to address workplace health issues promptly. Additionally, the CDC’s measles response has been hindered by the loss of multiple staff members assigned to the outbreak, prompting a scramble to find resources and personnel to support affected states like Texas.
As the CDC navigates these challenges, the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce capable of responding to public health emergencies is paramount. The implications of these layoffs extend beyond individual employees to the broader public health infrastructure, underscoring the need for sustained support and investment in agencies like the CDC and NIOSH.
