Overview

• The late-night emails arrived just after 9 p.m. on a holiday weekend during a government shutdown, making it harder for employees to get information on separation and benefits.
• Former CDC leader Debra Houry said staffing fell from 13,674 in January to about 11,400 before the notices, with roughly 1,100 projected cuts reducing headcount to around 10,300.
• The Epidemic Intelligence Service lost at least 30 program coordinators and 40 second‑year officers, and the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report staff was dismissed, according to current and former officials.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had publicly called for “new blood” at the agency in September, and President Donald Trump said he plans to fire many federal workers he views as aligned with Democrats.
• OMB Director Russell Vought posted that reductions in force had begun, and public-health experts warned the cuts weaken surveillance and outbreak response as respiratory virus season approaches.