Trump Administration Cuts Key Epidemic Intelligence Program Amid Bird Flu Concerns

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The Trump administration has dismissed nearly half of the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), commonly referred to as "disease detectives," amid rising fears of bird flu, according to sources familiar with the matter. The cuts, first reported by CBS News, affect public health efforts in the United States, leaving experts concerned about the country's preparedness for potential pandemics.

These dismissals are part of a broader initiative by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to downsize the federal workforce and coincide with recent leadership changes at the Department of Health and Human Services under new Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "We're on the verge of potentially another pandemic, and we're firing those with critical expertise," a senior epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed frustration, as reported by Agence France-Presse. Established in 1951, the EIS has been pivotal in combating diseases, from smallpox eradication to the initial responses to Ebola and COVID-19. The cuts affect approximately 1,300 CDC employees, representing about 10% of its workforce. Experts warn that these reductions will severely impact U.S. health security.

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