Among those impacted by the Trump Administration’s Reductions in Force (RIF) at the CDC are top agency employees responsible for responding to infectious disease outbreaks like measles, two sources familiar with the terminations told ABC News.
Around 130 people in the director’s office at the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) were let go, including much of the center’s leadership, the sources said.
These individuals managed divisions that responded to various public health threats, including bacterial diseases, viral diseases, respiratory diseases like influenza and coronaviruses, as well as vaccinations. This includes surveillance, policy, and communications, sources added.
The terminations come as the U.S. continues to deal with multiple public health threats. Measles outbreaks in parts of the country have led to the highest number of cases nationally since 1992.
Last year’s flu season was one of the most severe and intense in recent history with a record high number of children dying from the virus. Whooping cough cases are near record highs for the second year in a row.
Representatives for HHS and the White House did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
-ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud, Will McDuffie and Mary Kekatos
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