Health officials from California and Washington reported significant delays after requesting assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to validate a high-throughput measles test amid outbreaks this spring. In May, amid rising case numbers, these states sought the CDC’s help to approve a diagnostic test capable of processing 500 samples within eight hours. However, they did not receive a response for two months.
Representatives from the West Coast Health Alliance, which includes California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii, addressed the issue in a recent letter to Dr. Erica Schwartz, the CDC’s new director who took office in August. According to the letter, the CDC stated that it was unable to prioritize the validation of the rapid test due to “other competing priorities,” effectively delaying the deployment of a diagnostic tool that public health laboratories across the country could use during large outbreaks.
The officials emphasized the importance of rapid diagnostic testing in mitigating the early stages of infectious disease outbreaks and urged the CDC to develop and distribute protocols for tests not only for measles but also for other dangerous pathogens. The letter underscored that increasing testing capacity would enhance outbreak preparedness nationally.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, did not provide detailed answers regarding plans for fast-track measles tests. In an emailed statement, spokesperson Emily Hilliard said the CDC is supporting state and local health departments in strengthening measles detection and outbreak response. She noted that under Dr. Schwartz’s leadership, the agency is prioritizing emerging technologies to improve response times and effectiveness.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, contributing to limited availability of rapid commercial tests that could be used in clinical settings. However, the disease has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, with the CDC reporting over 4,400 cases so far in 2023. Pennsylvania alone has recorded six measles-related deaths this year.
Medical experts argue that the growing caseload demands faster diagnostic tools. Jill Taylor, former director of the Wadsworth Center, New York State’s public health laboratory, called the need for rapid testing “fairly urgent.” Current testing protocols rely on sending samples to specialized public health laboratories, a process that can take two to five business days depending on staffing levels.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many public health labs acquired high-throughput machines capable of processing large volumes of samples quickly, but a validated test approved by the CDC is still required for measles. Dr. Taylor and others highlighted challenges at the CDC, including staff reductions of approximately 30 percent since the start of the previous administration and oversight by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and political appointees. This has reportedly left agency personnel overburdened and without clear leadership to prioritize critical testing advancements.
Despite sympathizing with the agency’s challenges, Dr. Taylor emphasized the urgent need to prioritize rapid measles testing given the current public health threat.