California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii health officials have urged the CDC to reconsider its decision to deny validation of a new high-volume measles test. This request was made in May, but after a two-month wait, the CDC declined, citing "other competing priorities." The letter from the West Coast Health Alliance was addressed to Erica Schwartz, the director of the CDC.
Request for Reconsideration
The health officials from California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington are advocating for the validation of a rapid, high-volume measles test in anticipation of potential outbreaks. They also requested the CDC to establish protocols for testing other high-priority pathogens to better prepare for future health crises.
CDC's Response
Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stated that the agency is focused on ensuring that state and local health departments receive the necessary support to enhance measles detection and outbreak response. Hilliard emphasized that the CDC is prioritizing emerging technologies to address the measles outbreak.
