According to former CDC director Tom Frieden, the current federal government shutdown could have a negative impact on flu testing and reporting, response to antiviral shortages, and more.
That collecting is on hold during the shutdown, so we won’t have an up-to-date and accurate national picture until the shutdown ends. “But where diseases are occurring and actually affecting people, nothing is going to stop,” said Jones.
But the shutdown could impact flu season in other ways. Former CDC director Tom Frieden told the Washington Post that during the 2013 shutdown, samples waiting to be tested began piling up. The CDC also works with manufacturers to deal with shortages of antiviral drugs, which has happened in some areas this season. The current CDC contingency plan does not specifically indicate if either of these activities will be affected.
