Fired CDC workers must be reinstated to help in infant formula outbreak policy response

Over the weekend, the CDC and FDA announced a new outbreak of botulism tied to infant formula, with 13 infant illnesses from 10 states. The investigation into the source is still ongoing and we will undoubtedly learn more in the coming days and weeks about the cause. But one thing is clear: policymakers in Washington will not be briefed by the staff in CDC's Washington, DC office, which was axed in recent mass CDC firings.

The "CDC/W" office, one of many CDC teams cut in chaotic firings last month, manages CDC interactions with members of Congress and other policymakers in Washington, including helping coordinate policymakers' response to outbreaks and emergencies. They are not directly involved in outbreak investigation or communications to the public, but help manage communication with policymakers.

It's bad enough that we are now in the longest government shutdown in US history, meaning outbreak investigators are working without pay. The absence of this office hobbles the management of the outbreak, in which communication with policymakers is an important component.

Members of the administration should immediately restore the CDC/W office and all of the workers who have been irresponsibly fired in mass layoffs since this government shutdown began.

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Tags

• Baby Food
• Trump
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Food and Drug Administration
• Food Safety

Topics

• Government Accountability
• Food Safety