Officials concerned about health challenges during government shutdown

[caption id="attachment_20621" align="alignleft" width="300"] IRG activation following pathogen entry[/caption]

Gordon Matilla---Officials are concerned about public health safety during the government shutdown, with the CDC emasculated and programs and services withdrawn for lack of money.  The public health, given the potential of any kind of germ warfare or just the diseases that can make their way around the world, are of particular significance; and without watchful eyes, health issues could be significantly impacted. And as pilgrims return from the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the sacred shrines, officials are concerned about infectious diseases, without sufficient health personnel to intervene in the event of an emergency.  Still the flu season itself brings challenges to health officials who worry about not having sufficient personnel on hand to manage problems this season. Blumenstock, of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, is particularly concerned, mentioning they are significant flu-related functions the CDC cannot currently perform because of the government shutdown.  He said, " “Depending on how bad flu season turns out to be, that could provide increased risk of illness or death if CDC doesn’t get back in business.” At the same time the American Public Health Association has voiced concern about a salmonella outbreak.   In a recent press release the organization observes:

“Diseases do not respect government shutdowns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had to recall 30 furloughed workers this week to help handle the multi-state outbreak. While I applaud the agency’s decision and quick response, these key staff will now be playing catch-up thanks to the government shutdown.” “In response to the shutdown, the U.S. House of Representatives continues the folly of a piecemeal approach to funding the government. Last week they approved funding for the National Institutes of Health. This week they approved funding for the Food and Drug Administration. Yet they haven’t approved funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our leading public health agency. Nor have they approved funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is central to the disease investigation."