health

Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks raise questions about Trump's health agency cuts

May 29, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News

Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks raise questions about Trump's health agency cuts

TL;DR

  • The Trump administration's cuts to federal health agencies are being criticized in light of recent hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks.
  • Democrats argue that job and funding cuts have left the U.S. unprepared for pandemics.
  • Infectious disease specialists are urging the White House to reverse cuts and rejoin the World Health Organization.
  • The White House is defending its response capabilities amidst public concerns.
  • The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experienced significant layoffs.
  • An outbreak of Andes virus, a person-to-person transmissible hantavirus, occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius, resulting in deaths.
  • A significant Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has raised international concern.
  • Critics point to the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development as detrimental to global health efforts.
  • Federal agencies have pushed back against criticisms, asserting their response efforts are effective and accurate.
  • Public health officials and international organizations state that funding cuts have hampered disease surveillance and response capabilities.