The Trump administration on Friday (Feb 14) dismissed nearly half of the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a storied unit of epidemiologists known as the nation's "disease detectives."&nbsp;
The move, which comes as bird flu fears intensify, has sparked alarm among health experts, who say they're "so angry" by the move.
<h2>Trump firings &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
The mass layoffs are part of broader efforts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to downsize federal agencies and come as newly confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed a sweeping overhaul of national health institutions.
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<h2>'I'm so angry' &mdash; CDC insiders sound the alarm</h2>
Speaking to AFP, a senior epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said, "I'm so angry".
The senior staff member cautioned, "We're on the verge of potentially another pandemic and we're firing the people who have probably more expertise than anyone else in the country collectively".
The layoffs, first reported by CBS News, reportedly mainly target employees still within their probationary period, a window in which federal workers can be dismissed more easily. In total, nearly 1,300 CDC employees&mdash;roughly 10 per cent of the agency's workforce&mdash;were let go. &nbsp;
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<h2>Who are 'disease detectives'?</h2>
'Disease detectives' is the name given to epidemiologists of the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS).
Founded in 1951, the EIS has been on the frontlines of major outbreaks, from smallpox eradication efforts to the first Ebola cases in Africa and the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers, recruited through a rigorous selection process, consist of doctors, nurses, scientists and more. Some of them are stationed at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, others are deployed across the country.
Several CDC chiefs have begun their careers as part of the elite EIS.
The 2024 EIS class was informed on Friday that termination emails would be sent that afternoon. The 2023 class remains under review. There are around 140 officers across both classes.
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Around 30 officers, of both classes, were hired via the US Public Health Service, and are currently unaffected, reports AFP.&nbsp;
"Without those officers we would not have eliminated smallpox from the globe," the CDC epidemiologist said. "We had people fanning across countries, wading through mud and navigating rivers on boats to eliminate smallpox." &nbsp;
This comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was formally appointed the Health Secretary on Friday. RFK Jr has long been vocal about his distrust of infectious disease research. He recently suggested pausing such studies for eight years to prioritise chronic conditions instead. Kennedy has also questioned widely accepted medical science, challenging the role of germs in disease transmission and disputing the link between HIV and AIDS.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news | The Trump administration's decision to dismiss nearly half of the Epidemic Intelligence Service raises serious concerns among health experts as bird flu fears grow.

The Trump administration on Friday (Feb 14) dismissed nearly half of the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a storied unit of epidemiologists known as the nation's "disease detectives." The move, which comes as bird flu fears intensify, has sparked alarm among health experts, who say they're "so angry" by the move. Trump firings The mass layoffs are part of broader efforts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to downsize federal agencies and come as newly confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed a sweeping overhaul of national health institutions. Also read | Robert F. Kennedy Jr sworn in as US Health and Human Services chief 'I'm so angry' — CDC insiders sound the alarm Speaking to AFP, a senior epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said, "I'm so angry". The senior staff member cautioned, "We're on the verge of potentially another pandemic and we're firing the people who have probably more expertise than anyone else in the country collectively". The layoffs, first reported by CBS News, reportedly mainly target employees still within their probationary period, a window in which federal workers can be dismissed more easily. In total, nearly 1,300 CDC employees—roughly 10 per cent of the agency's workforce—were let go. Also read | ‘We will create NATO in Ukraine’: Zelensky on NATO ambitions, Trump’s personal number, and more Who are 'disease detectives'? 'Disease detectives' is the name given to epidemiologists of the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Founded in 1951, the EIS has been on the frontlines of major outbreaks, from smallpox eradication efforts to the first Ebola cases in Africa and the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers, recruited through a rigorous selection process, consist of doctors, nurses, scientists and more. Some of them are stationed at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, others are deployed across the country. Several CDC chiefs have begun their careers as part of the elite EIS. The 2024 EIS class was informed on Friday that termination emails would be sent that afternoon. The 2023 class remains under review. There are around 140 officers across both classes. Also read | Trump-Modi 'bromance' in focus as US President gifts Indian PM THIS sentimental present Around 30 officers, of both classes, were hired via the US Public Health Service, and are currently unaffected, reports AFP. "Without those officers we would not have eliminated smallpox from the globe," the CDC epidemiologist said. "We had people fanning across countries, wading through mud and navigating rivers on boats to eliminate smallpox." This comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was formally appointed the Health Secretary on Friday. RFK Jr has long been vocal about his distrust of infectious disease research. He recently suggested pausing such studies for eight years to prioritise chronic conditions instead. Kennedy has also questioned widely accepted medical science, challenging the role of germs in disease transmission and disputing the link between HIV and AIDS. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump administration dismisses nearly half of 'disease detectives' even as bird flu concerns rise

Bird flu, a highly contagious form of avian influenza, has demonstrated worrying zoonotic spread in recent weeks. The virus is spreading quickly throughout the United States, affecting a few human lives and infecting four people thus far.

The virus, which was previously restricted to farmed poultry and wild birds, has been found in cats in 31 states, with a few cases also being found in dogs. Concerns are raised about possible human exposure as well as animal health, especially for pet owners.

<h2>Thirty-one US states are affected by bird flu</h2>

As reported by USA Today, the virus has already infected mice, foxes, mountain lions, alpacas, and cows in 12 states. In the last several months, the virus has swiftly spread throughout the country among dairy cows, infecting over 90 herds, despite early expert assurances that it would not damage dairy products.

In addition to these animals, the H5N1 virus has also inflicted damage to dairy, poultry, and three farm labourers who were infected. Still, the true concern seems to be growing because dogs and cats have also been reported to have occasional cases of the virus.

According to reports, since 1 March, over 21 domestic cats in nine US states have developed the illness. The research claims that although infections were spreading throughout dairy farms, a small number of sick and deceased cats showed symptoms of illness that were missed.

Also read:&nbsp;‘Not the worst idea’: Trump floats plan for UFC-style ‘migrant league of fighters’ amid border crisis

It has long been known by researchers that cats may catch avian influenza. According to Kristen Coleman, a University of Maryland researcher, "Domestic cats are actually highly susceptible to avian influenza, especially H5N1,"&nbsp;reported the New York Times.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will bird flu cause the next pandemic?

Among the cats that have tested positive for avian flu are feral, barn, and domestic cats. Although the number of dog reports is smaller, the issue is still present. H5N1, a new strain of bird flu that first surfaced in 2020, has spread quickly over the world. Although instances in cats and dogs are still uncommon, scientists feel that it should be treated seriously since "it results in very severe illness and oftentimes death."

The CDC states that while the possibility is extremely low, there is a small chance that people might become ill if their pets are infected. Experts think that a cat's saliva, excrement, or other bodily fluids might carry the H5N1 virus.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bird flu, a highly contagious form of avian influenza, has demonstrated worrying zoonotic spread in recent weeks. The virus is spreading quickly throughout the United States, affecting a few human lives and infecting four people thus far.

Bird flu, a highly contagious form of avian influenza, has demonstrated worrying zoonotic spread in recent weeks. The virus is spreading quickly throughout the United States, affecting a few human lives and infecting four people thus far. The virus, which was previously restricted to farmed poultry and wild birds, has been found in cats in 31 states, with a few cases also being found in dogs. Concerns are raised about possible human exposure as well as animal health, especially for pet owners. Thirty-one US states are affected by bird flu As reported by USA Today, the virus has already infected mice, foxes, mountain lions, alpacas, and cows in 12 states. In the last several months, the virus has swiftly spread throughout the country among dairy cows, infecting over 90 herds, despite early expert assurances that it would not damage dairy products. In addition to these animals, the H5N1 virus has also inflicted damage to dairy, poultry, and three farm labourers who were infected. Still, the true concern seems to be growing because dogs and cats have also been reported to have occasional cases of the virus. According to reports, since 1 March, over 21 domestic cats in nine US states have developed the illness. The research claims that although infections were spreading throughout dairy farms, a small number of sick and deceased cats showed symptoms of illness that were missed. Also read: ‘Not the worst idea’: Trump floats plan for UFC-style ‘migrant league of fighters’ amid border crisis It has long been known by researchers that cats may catch avian influenza. According to Kristen Coleman, a University of Maryland researcher, "Domestic cats are actually highly susceptible to avian influenza, especially H5N1," reported the New York Times. Watch | Gravitas: Will bird flu cause the next pandemic? Among the cats that have tested positive for avian flu are feral, barn, and domestic cats. Although the number of dog reports is smaller, the issue is still present. H5N1, a new strain of bird flu that first surfaced in 2020, has spread quickly over the world. Although instances in cats and dogs are still uncommon, scientists feel that it should be treated seriously since "it results in very severe illness and oftentimes death." The CDC states that while the possibility is extremely low, there is a small chance that people might become ill if their pets are infected. Experts think that a cat's saliva, excrement, or other bodily fluids might carry the H5N1 virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Bird flu crisis escalates: Virus spreads to pets and wildlife in 31 US states

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Trump administration dismisses nearly half of 'disease detectives' even as bird flu concerns rise

Bird flu crisis escalates: Virus spreads to pets and wildlife in 31 US states