In a striking departure from its historical role, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notably absent during a hantavirus outbreak involving American passengers on a cruise ship, according to public health experts. The outbreak, which has made global headlines, has been managed primarily by international health authorities rather than the U.S. agency once considered the world's premier public health organization.
CDC's Uncharacteristic Silence
President Donald Trump assured reporters on Friday that the situation is under control, stating, "We seem to have things under very good control." However, experts argue that the outbreak has not spiraled not due to U.S. intervention, but because hantavirus does not spread as easily as COVID-19 or measles. Lawrence Gostin, a global health expert at Georgetown University, remarked, "The CDC is not even a player. I've never seen that before."
It wasn't until late Friday that the CDC accelerated its actions, deploying a team to Spain's Canary Islands to meet American passengers and another to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The agency also issued its first health alert to U.S. doctors about potential imported cases. Yet, a Saturday briefing for invited reporters only, with unnamed speakers, raised further concerns about transparency.
Diminished Global Role
Experts see the CDC's muted response as a sign of its diminished stature. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the outbreak "a sentinel event" indicating the nation's unpreparedness for disease threats. The World Health Organization has taken center stage, conducting risk assessments and declaring the outbreak not a pandemic threat.
Under the Trump administration, the CDC has faced turmoil, including withdrawal from the WHO, restrictions on international communication, and layoffs of thousands of scientists. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to restore the agency's focus, but critics say the damage is evident.
Comparison to Past Responses
In contrast, during the 2020 Diamond Princess COVID-19 outbreak, the CDC was highly visible, sending personnel, evacuating passengers, and publishing crucial data. Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director, noted that the agency's work then became global reference data. Now, the CDC's efforts are delayed and subdued, with bilateral health agreements replacing multilateral cooperation through the WHO.
While the CDC has issued statements emphasizing low risk to the American public, experts like Jennifer Nuzzo of Brown University criticize the lack of humility in communications. "Not only was that not helpful, it actually does damage," she said. The agency's acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, posted on social media about coordination efforts, but federal health officials have largely declined interviews.
The outbreak began when a 70-year-old Dutch man fell ill on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina, later dying along with his wife and a German woman. Hantavirus was identified on May 2, and the WHO declared an outbreak by Monday. About two dozen Americans were on board, with some already returned to the U.S.
As the situation unfolds, the CDC's absence raises questions about U.S. preparedness for future health crises. Gostin emphasized that one-on-one deals with countries cannot replace global cooperation, stating, "You can't possibly cover a global health crisis by doing one-on-one deals with countries here and there."
