Concerns Grow Over Cuts to Infectious Disease Surveillance Funding

Experts are increasingly worried that cuts to federal funding for one of the main infectious disease surveillance programs in the U.S. could undermine public health responses. This concern is particularly pressing as a new variant of COVID-19 spreads across the country, underscoring the importance of robust monitoring systems.

Under President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, the funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) is set to drop dramatically—from about $125 million a year to roughly $25 million.

In a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, the American Society for Microbiology raised alarms in April, stating that the CDC has depleted all supplemental funding for wastewater surveillance and will lack the resources to maintain the program beyond September 30, 2026.

“Without extra funding, the U.S. risks losing this essential and cost-effective early warning system just when public health threats are increasing,” the association expressed.

This situation comes as the COVID-19 variant BA.3.2, known as “cicada,” is reported to be circulating in 25 states, as per the latest CDC data.

Rachel Noble, a professor of environmental sciences and engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, noted, “It’s astonishing that funding for wastewater surveillance would be cut when there are ongoing outbreaks worldwide linked to highly pathogenic viruses.” She pointed out that the costs of treating outbreaks far surpass the investment needed for wastewater monitoring, framing it as a crucial measure for prevention and public health safety.

COVID ‘Cicada’ Variant Spread

The “cicada” variant exhibits symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, including cough, fever, and loss of taste or smell. However, it could potentially evade some existing immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.

Dr. Dan Barouch from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center mentioned that the “cicada” variant has mutations allowing it to partially escape neutralizing antibodies but hasn’t shown a tendency to cause more severe symptoms thus far.

This variant was first identified through the NWSS in various states, including California and Florida. Meanwhile, WastewaterSCAN, a program that tracks infectious diseases, detected it in several others like Michigan and Ohio.

Recent discussions have revolved around the need for vaccine manufacturers to update their vaccines in light of rapidly evolving variants. Some experts believe that focusing on the XFG variant might be the best approach, while others remain uncertain about whether the “cicada” variant may become predominant.

Andrew Pekosz from Johns Hopkins University indicated that while the variant has troubling mutations, its slow spread may mitigate immediate concerns. However, he cautioned that further mutations could lead to a faster transmission rate.

The Looming Cuts to Wastewater Surveillance Funding

The NWSS, launched under the CARES Act in 2020, expanded significantly with additional funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, it monitors over 1,000 sites around the nation.

This system helps identify and track infectious diseases through wastewater, providing valuable insights months before confirmed cases emerge. Public health teams can then react more swiftly to prevent further transmission.

With the budget cut to $25 million, many worry about the reduction of national programs critical for tracking disease hotspots. The People’s CDC, a coalition of public health experts, is urging citizens to contact Congress about the potential fallout from these cuts. They’ve already sent nearly 3,000 letters advocating for permanent, fully funded wastewater surveillance.

According to Dave Larsen from Syracuse University, a $25 million budget could only support surveillance in a few states and might limit monitoring to seasonal diseases like flu or COVID-19. He noted that critical efforts to track outbreaks of more serious diseases could be lost altogether.

Amy Pruden-Bagchi from Virginia Tech expressed concern that such a major funding cut would undermine the progress made in wastewater disease surveillance since the pandemic began. She argued that in the long run, these cuts would be more costly than maintaining the program.

Experts Raise Alarm Over Public Health Implications

Noble voiced strong concerns regarding any reductions in wastewater surveillance funding, asserting that it serves as a critical diagnostic technology for tracking community disease outbreaks.

It has the capability to detect even a handful of infections, enabling prompt public health responses that could save lives. The time gained through early detection is especially valuable for vaccine development.

Moreover, wastewater monitoring allows for early identification of diseases, often before individuals seek medical attention, which provides public health teams with a crucial time advantage. Larsen reiterated that funding cuts to this surveillance are alarming, as it forms a vital part of public health infrastructure by keeping communities informed about circulating pathogens.

Pekosz reinforced the value of wastewater surveillance as a powerful tool for tracking diseases, stating it enables proactive monitoring of mild cases and prepares teams for potential surges in severe infections shortly after a virus is detected.

He emphasized the need for investment in enhancing wastewater surveillance and building a response network around the data it provides.