Dr. Erica Schwartz confirmed as new CDC director by US Senate

The US Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, with a vote of 51-44. This marks the Trump administration's successful third attempt to fill the position, which has experienced leadership instability since the previous director, Susan Monarez, was fired last year over vaccine policy disagreements. Dr. Schwartz, formerly Trump's deputy surgeon general and the US Coast Guard's chief medical officer, now faces significant public health challenges including a measles resurgence in the US, an Ebola outbreak in Africa, and a major US foodborne illness outbreak.