Introduction to the Problem
The federal shutdown has left gaps in states’ health data, particularly concerning respiratory illness season. As a result, states have been forced to rely on their own resources to identify disease outbreaks. The shutdown has halted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) dashboards and expert analysis, which monitor indicators such as wastewater to provide early warnings of the spread of COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other infectious diseases.
Impact on Disease Outbreak Detection
The pause in CDC’s services leaves states with less early warning on disease outbreaks, potentially endangering lives. State and local officials can combat outbreaks with targeted advice to get vaccinated and stay home when sick, but they need to know where to do that first. Residents won’t know to take precautions if they’re unaware when many in their community are falling ill. Wastewater is particularly crucial to finding outbreaks before people start seeking treatment, according to Dr. John T. Brooks, a former chief medical officer for CDC’s Emergency COVID-19 Response.
State-Level Response
States like Washington have wastewater surveillance programs that use the CDC’s dashboards to display information to the public. However, with the CDC’s involvement paused, only state officials can see the information, and they would have to rethink the system if the shutdown continues. Georgia had to pause its influenza report, which would normally start this month, because of missing CDC data. However, health officials are working on a version using only state information.
Gaps in Data and Expertise
The shutdown has resulted in "DIY surveillance," according to Caitlin Rivers, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies infectious disease outbreaks. Many states can monitor wastewater on their own to track COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other diseases. However, even if they have their own wastewater data, other state and local health departments may rely on the CDC for analysis and guidance. Ericka McGowan, senior director for emerging infectious disease at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, noted that a lot of localities don’t have the expertise to analyze the data and rely on the CDC for technical expertise and guidance.
Current Situation and Future Concerns
Michael Hoerger, an associate professor at Tulane University, had to pause his state-by-state wastewater reports on COVID-19 because of the lack of CDC wastewater data. The pause means that there won’t be a good sense of which states are dealing with elevated transmission until the data come back online. Hoerger’s Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative released a report in August on COVID-19 hot spots in California, and the highest state rates for COVID-19 in late September were in Connecticut, Delaware, Nevada, and Utah. Rivers wrote in her post that she sees "clouds on the horizon" in some states, with more young children visiting emergency rooms in Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Conclusion
The federal shutdown has left significant gaps in states’ health data, making it challenging for them to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. While some states have their own wastewater surveillance programs, they often rely on the CDC for analysis and guidance. The pause in CDC’s services has resulted in "DIY surveillance," which may not be as effective in identifying and combating outbreaks. As respiratory illness season begins, it is crucial for the CDC to resume its services to support states in their efforts to protect public health.
FAQs
- What is the impact of the federal shutdown on states’ health data?
The shutdown has halted the CDC’s dashboards and expert analysis, leaving states with less early warning on disease outbreaks. - How do states detect disease outbreaks without the CDC’s help?
States have their own wastewater surveillance programs, but they often rely on the CDC for analysis and guidance. - What are the concerns about the current situation?
There are concerns that the pause in CDC’s services may lead to a lack of awareness about disease outbreaks, potentially endangering lives. - Which states are most affected by the shutdown?
States like Georgia, Washington, and Texas are affected, but the impact varies depending on their individual surveillance programs and reliance on the CDC. - What is the future outlook for disease outbreak detection?
The future outlook is uncertain, but it is crucial for the CDC to resume its services to support states in their efforts to protect public health.
