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Weakened public health powers could hamper states' outbreak responses

NPR | By Rob Stein

Published June 4, 2026 at 3:38 AM CDT

Public health experts are worried that states are less prepared to respond to the Ebola outbreak and other infectious disease threats because many weakened their public health authorities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rob Stein

Rob Stein is a correspondent and senior editor on NPR's science desk.

See stories by Rob Stein