In the middle of a hepatitis outbreak, U.S. shutters the one CDC lab that could help
Briefly

In December, a hepatitis C outbreak was identified in a Florida town, prompting state officials to send blood samples to the CDC. Scientists quickly traced the source to a pain clinic where a doctor was misusing injection vials. Their investigation was halted in April due to job cuts in the CDC's lab, which plays a unique role in genetic tracing for outbreak management. Experts warn that the lab's closure could undermine vital work in understanding and controlling infectious diseases.
The January discovery of related hepatitis C cases in a Florida clinic showcases the critical role of the CDC lab, now threatened by budget cuts.
The lab's unique genetic tracing technique, vital for outbreak tracking, faces closure despite successfully linking a hepatitis C outbreak to improper medical practices.
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