NEW YORK (AP) — Approximately 1,300 probationary staff members at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — which represents about 10% of the agency’s total workforce — are facing termination due to the Trump administration’s initiative to eliminate all probationary employees.

CDC leadership was informed of this decision on Friday morning, with the announcement made verbally by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during a meeting with officials from the CDC, according to a federal source present at the meeting. This individual spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details.

The employees affected by this move will reportedly receive four weeks of paid administrative leave, although it remains uncertain when individual notifications will be issued.

HHS representatives did not provide clarity on the details surrounding the layoffs. In response to inquiries, Andrew Nixon, the department’s communications director, stated, “HHS is implementing the Administration’s directives and taking measures to support the President’s broader objective to reorganize and enhance the efficiency of the federal government, ensuring that HHS can better serve the American public effectively.”

With a core budget of $9.2 billion, the CDC plays a crucial role in safeguarding Americans against health crises and disease outbreaks. Prior to these layoffs, the agency employed around 13,000 individuals, including over 2,000 staff deployed internationally.

Historically, the CDC has been recognized as a global authority in disease control and a trusted source for health-related information, featuring some of the leading experts in public health.

The workforce is predominantly composed of scientists, with 60% holding advanced degrees such as master’s degrees or doctorates. Notably, a significant portion of the staff is not unionized.

It’s important to note that not only new recruits are impacted; veteran employees who have recently transitioned to new management roles also undergo probationary evaluations.

Dr. Joshua Barocas, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of many CDC staff currently in probationary positions, stating, “Assuming that their roles aren’t essential to public health safety simply because they’ve been employed for less than a year is misguided.” He discussed this viewpoint during a Friday morning briefing with the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Such a drastic overhaul could lead to significant interruptions in our understanding of diseases and their outbreaks,” he warned.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is responsible for all aspects of the content.