The COVID-19 pandemic may be over for some, but its effects are still being felt in the US, with long COVID cases on the rise. Meanwhile, other infectious diseases pose new threats, such as bird flu and measles outbreaks. The recent downsizing plan by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked concerns among health experts.
The Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is being gutted, with around 3,500 jobs at the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 1,200 at the National Institutes of Health. This move has raised concerns about who will handle infectious disease control efforts in the future.
The OIDP plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases through various national plans and initiatives. However, without clear leadership and expertise, these efforts may be compromised. The planned elimination of advisory committees composed of external scientific experts may also hamper the response to emerging threats.
Critics argue that this move is reminiscent of the Trump Administration’s approach to pandemic preparedness, which led to chaotic responses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Experts warn that the US government should have a clear plan in place to deal with ongoing infectious disease threats, including long-term strategies for COVID-19 and bird flu.
Furthermore, antimicrobial-resistant organisms continue to spread, posing significant public health risks. Misinformation and disinformation have also contributed to drops in measles vaccine coverage, leading to outbreaks across the US.
The US government’s response to these emerging threats will depend on its ability to recover from this downsizing plan. As experts caution, “chaos” may be a recurring theme if the government fails to establish a clear and coordinated strategy for infectious disease control.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2025/03/29/rfk-jr-laying-off-entire-office-of-infectious-disease-and-hivaids-policy