The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sent a team to Penobscot County to support local officials in managing a significant HIV outbreak. Six staff members arrived in the Bangor area on December 11, 2023, and will remain until December 19, providing crucial assistance as the outbreak continues to grow.
The CDC’s involvement follows a request for federal support that had been suspended during the recent government shutdown. This assistance is expected to help Maine public health workers gain a clearer understanding of the outbreak’s spread, which has primarily impacted individuals who inject drugs or those experiencing homelessness. As of October 2023, the outbreak has reported a total of 30 cases.
Federal Assistance During a Critical Time
Recent developments indicate a troubling trend, as reports have emerged of an increase in HIV cases beyond the initial outbreak area. Specifically, five new cases have been identified in Cumberland County among people who inject drugs, as highlighted by a recent analysis from the Maine CDC. This uptick has prompted public health officials in the Portland area to prepare for potential further increases in cases.
According to Matt Wellington, the associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, the state is not typically equipped to handle an HIV outbreak of this magnitude. Wellington emphasized, “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. We don’t have the full picture of how widely this has spread. And partly that’s because we don’t have the resources that we need to get that full picture.”
The CDC team includes four epidemic intelligence service officers who will conduct interviews with individuals affected by the outbreak. Their goal is to develop educational resources for healthcare providers, response partners, and community members. A CDC spokesperson noted that initial on-the-ground technical assistance was provided back in August 2025.
Impact of Government Shutdown on Public Health Response
The assistance from the CDC is crucial as local public health officials continue to address the ongoing outbreak in Penobscot County. The situation has become increasingly urgent, particularly as new HIV cases begin to emerge in other parts of the state.
The federal Health and Human Services spokesperson confirmed to the Boston Globe that travel for federal employees is not authorized during a government shutdown. However, similar support teams have been deployed to assist with public health emergencies during previous shutdowns.
Public health officials in Bangor and surrounding areas are actively working to expand access to testing and resources in anticipation of further cases. The combination of local efforts and federal support is aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further spread of HIV in Maine.
The situation remains fluid, and public health authorities are urging community members to remain vigilant and to seek testing if they believe they may be at risk.
