CDC Deploys Team to Combat HIV Outbreak in Penobscot County

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Penobscot County, Maine, to assist local officials in addressing a significant HIV outbreak. Arriving on December 11, 2023, the CDC team will support state and local public health efforts until December 19. This deployment comes as the outbreak, primarily impacting individuals who inject drugs or are homeless, reached 30 confirmed cases as of October.

The assistance from the CDC follows a request that was temporarily halted due to the recent government shutdown. CDC spokespersons indicated that federal support is crucial for providing a clearer understanding of the outbreak’s extent, particularly as it appears to be spreading beyond its initial geographic boundaries.

Public health officials in Penobscot County have expressed concern over the outbreak, first identified over two years ago. According to Matt Wellington, associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, the resources available to local authorities are insufficient to manage the situation effectively. “In a small state like Maine where it’s not normal for us to have HIV outbreaks of this size, we’re just not equipped to handle it by ourselves,” Wellington stated, emphasizing the need for additional resources to gain a comprehensive picture of the outbreak.

CDC Support Aims to Contain Growing Outbreak

The CDC team, which includes four epidemic intelligence service officers, is tasked with interviewing those affected by the outbreak. They will also work on developing educational resources for healthcare providers, response partners, and community members. This support is particularly timely as the outbreak’s ramifications extend into Cumberland County, where five new HIV cases were reported among individuals who inject drugs. This increase reflects a worrying trend that public health officials had anticipated, prompting proactive measures to enhance access to testing and resources in the Portland area.

Prior to this deployment, the CDC had provided initial technical assistance in August 2025. However, the agency’s ability to send field epidemiologists to Penobscot County was paused during the government shutdown in October. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that travel for such assistance is not authorized during shutdowns, although the CDC has historically sent similar support teams during other public health emergencies.

As the situation develops, local health authorities continue to focus on containment efforts while preparing for potential increases in HIV cases throughout the state. The collaboration between state officials and the CDC is viewed as a crucial step in addressing the challenges posed by this outbreak.