CDC Ignored States’ Request to Validate New High-Volume Measles Test

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

California and Washington health officials requested CDC help in May to validate a rapid measles test that can diagnose up to 500 cases in eight hours, but the CDC delayed responding and cited competing priorities for not prioritizing the test's rollout. This slow response, amid a surge of over 4,400 measles cases in the U.S. this year, highlights concerns about the CDC’s capacity and readiness to support timely outbreak detection and control.

Health officials from California and Washington sought assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May to validate a high-throughput measles test capable of diagnosing up to 500 cases within eight hours amid widespread outbreaks earlier this year. According to a letter shared this week by the West Coast Health Alliance, which also includes Oregon and Hawaii, the CDC did not respond for two months. When the agency eventually replied, it cited “other competing priorities” as a reason for not dedicating resources to making the rapid test available to state laboratories.

The letter, addressed to CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz who assumed her role in August, urged the agency to develop and distribute protocols for rapid diagnostic tests not only for measles but for other serious infectious diseases. The officials emphasized that faster and more accessible testing could significantly mitigate the initial stages of disease outbreaks by enabling public health laboratories nationwide to respond more effectively.

Questions directed to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC, about the agency’s plans regarding the high-throughput measles test went unanswered. However, an HHS spokesperson said in a statement that the CDC is committed to supporting state and local health departments in strengthening measles detection and outbreak response. The statement added that under Dr. Schwartz’s leadership, the CDC is prioritizing emerging technologies to improve response efforts.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, and commercial rapid tests suitable for clinical settings currently do not exist. However, recent years have seen a significant resurgence of the disease, with the CDC reporting more than 4,400 cases to date this year, along with six deaths in Pennsylvania linked to measles. This surge has underscored the need for faster diagnosis to curb transmission and enable timely treatment.

Traditionally, measles diagnosis requires samples to be sent from clinics to specialized public health laboratories, where testing can take two business days or longer, depending on staffing levels. The coronavirus pandemic led many public health labs to acquire high-throughput testing machines, which can process large volumes of tests rapidly, but effective use depends on CDC-approved test protocols.

Experts highlight concerns about the CDC’s capacity to evaluate and validate new diagnostic tests amid staffing shortages and organizational challenges. Jill Taylor, former director of New York State’s Wadsworth Center and a member of a CDC lab operations review committee, noted that the agency has approximately 30 percent fewer employees than during the early years of the previous administration. She characterized the current workforce as “beaten down” and lacking clear leadership to prioritize key initiatives.

The combination of increased measles cases and the CDC’s limited responsiveness has raised questions about preparedness for managing large-scale infectious disease outbreaks in the United States.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.