Published: April 27, 2026 | Source: New York State Department of Health

A Critical Role in Protecting Public Health

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scales back laboratory testing for multiple pathogens, New York State's Wadsworth Center is stepping in to fill the gap. The Center is now assisting with testing for a wide range of viruses—including influenza, pox, and rabies—helping ensure that disease detection and surveillance continue without interruption.

"The New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center stands at the forefront of innovation, protecting the health of New Yorkers and communities far beyond the State's borders," said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State continues to lead in disease surveillance—work that is critical to responding effectively to public health threats."

Why This Matters

When federal testing capacity decreases, states with limited laboratory resources face real challenges:
- Delays in detecting individual cases or disease clusters
- Increased risk to communities and vulnerable individuals
- Weakened national surveillance systems needed to plan effective public health responses

The Wadsworth Center—recognized by the CDC and other federal agencies as a national reference laboratory—helps bridge this gap. Its expertise, advanced technology, and capacity allow it to support not just New York, but the entire nation.

By the Numbers: Wadsworth's Impact in 2025

In 2025 alone, the Wadsworth Center:
- Received and tested more than 13,000 samples from 23 states
- Served as a national reference center for infectious diseases, environmental hazards, and toxicological threats
- Provided rapid, expert analytical support that directly influenced public health decisions nationwide

Real-World Impact: Cases That Made a Difference

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Texas

A patient in Texas was treated for tuberculosis, relapsed, and required specialized testing. Specimens were referred to Wadsworth by both Texas health officials and the CDC. Wadsworth scientists identified the specific drug-resistance pattern, enabling clinicians to adjust treatment successfully and prevent further spread.

Nationwide Infant Botulism Investigation

When an outbreak of infant botulism linked to baby formula emerged, Wadsworth played a leading role in the national response. Working with federal and state partners, Wadsworth scientists identified a critical match between a contaminated product and a case in Arizona. This breakthrough allowed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publicly confirm the source of contamination. Both the FDA and CDC credited Wadsworth's rapid, expert support as essential to the discovery.

Arbovirus Testing: A National Resource

Wadsworth was awarded a contract to serve as the National Reference Center for Arboviral Disease Testing, funded by the CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. Through this role:
- State public health labs across the U.S. and territories can submit samples they cannot test themselves
- Wadsworth provides clinically validated molecular and serologic testing for 15 arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, West Nile virus, and others
- In 2025, specimens from 71 patients were screened; testing confirmed 21 infections across 8 Northeastern states

Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance

New York supports a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to tick-borne diseases. Wadsworth conducts statewide surveillance to:
- Monitor tick populations and their geographic distribution
- Track the prevalence of pathogens like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis
- Provide data that informs public health responses and prevention strategies

Influenza: Shaping This Year's Vaccine

Wadsworth played a pivotal role in developing the Northern Hemisphere's seasonal influenza vaccine:
- Provided the virus sample used for vaccine development
- Characterized the virus using whole genome sequencing
- Isolated the virus in culture and submitted it to the CDC, where it was used to create the influenza B component for the current season
- Generated the first genomic sequences and virus isolates of influenza subclade K in the U.S. National Influenza Surveillance system

Additionally, the CDC selected Wadsworth as a National Influenza Reference Center (NIRC) and reference center for vaccine-preventable viral diseases for 2025–2030.

Expanded Testing Contracts

Wadsworth was awarded the U.S. Reference Shared Services Testing Contract to cover testing for:
- Measles
- Syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections
- Chagas disease
- Fungal infections

This contract, administered and funded by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and CDC, strengthens public health laboratory services nationwide.

What Is the Wadsworth Center?

Since its origins in 1901 developing treatments for communicable diseases, and the formal establishment of the Division of Laboratories and Research in 1914, the Wadsworth Center has grown into the largest and most comprehensive state public health laboratory in the United States.

Core responsibilities include:
- Responding to public health emergencies and emerging infections
- Conducting advanced laboratory testing and research
- Analyzing environmental exposures and hazards
- Licensing and overseeing clinical and environmental laboratories
- Training the next generation of public health scientists

The Center combines cutting-edge science with a mission-driven commitment to protecting communities—locally, nationally, and globally.

Why Reference Centers Matter

National reference laboratories like Wadsworth serve as critical hubs for:
- Expertise: Specialized knowledge in complex or rare disease testing
- Capacity: Ability to handle high volumes or specialized assays that smaller labs cannot
- Coordination: Standardizing methods and sharing data across jurisdictions
- Innovation: Developing and validating new testing approaches
- Emergency Response: Rapid mobilization during outbreaks or public health crises

When federal resources shift, these state-based centers become even more vital to maintaining a resilient public health infrastructure.

What This Means for New Yorkers

While Wadsworth's national work is extensive, its impact starts at home:
- Faster detection of local disease threats
- Stronger surveillance for influenza, tick-borne illnesses, and other regional concerns
- Enhanced laboratory capacity to respond to emergencies
- Access to advanced testing for complex cases referred by local providers

New York residents benefit from a public health system that invests in science, preparedness, and collaboration.

Resources for More Information

For healthcare providers:
- Guidance on specimen submission to Wadsworth for specialized testing
- Clinical resources on emerging infections and diagnostic approaches
- Updates on testing capabilities and turnaround times

For public health professionals:
- Information on partnering with Wadsworth for surveillance and outbreak response
- Access to reference testing services and technical consultation
- Training opportunities in laboratory methods and public health science

For the public:
- General information about the Wadsworth Center and its mission
- Updates on public health threats and testing capabilities
- Educational resources on disease prevention and laboratory science

Visit the New York State Department of Health website for current contact information and program details.

The Bottom Line

Public health depends on strong laboratory infrastructure. When federal testing capacity changes, state laboratories like New York's Wadsworth Center ensure that critical work continues—protecting communities, guiding treatment decisions, and strengthening national surveillance.

Through expertise, innovation, and partnership, Wadsworth exemplifies how state-level investment in science can have national impact. As public health challenges evolve, this kind of resilient, collaborative infrastructure will remain essential to keeping people safe.

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