Africa: The CDC Has a New Director - Now Comes the Hard Part

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new director in Erica Schwartz, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 2026. Schwartz is the second CDC director to face Senate confirmation, following the implementation of the process in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This confirmation comes as the CDC faces multiple public health challenges, including measles outbreaks, a multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce, and supporting the response to a significant Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

The confirmation process has been crucial for ensuring scientific independence and public trust in the agency. Schwartz, a retired U.S. Public Health Services Commissioned Corps rear admiral, brings extensive experience in infectious disease preparedness, outbreak response, and public health policy. As the new director, she must provide clear, accurate guidance, even when the evidence conflicts with the preferences of the president or the health secretary.

Senate review allows nominees to answer publicly for their judgment, priorities, and willingness to defend evidence.

However, confirmation does not guarantee scientific independence or restore public trust. What matters now is how Schwartz uses her authority and whether Congress and the administration provide the agency with the capacity to carry out its work effectively. The CDC has been facing numerous outbreaks, from measles to cyclospora, and is also supporting the international response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

All these outbreaks require the same underlying assets, such as timely data, specialized staff, functioning laboratories, and effective communication.

Despite these pressing public health needs, the Trump administration has cut the CDC workforce by nearly one-third between January 2025 and June 2026. This highlights the ongoing challenges the CDC faces in managing multiple outbreaks and the importance of maintaining a well-resourced agency to effectively respond to public health crises.