ATLANTA — Dozens of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees -- including top scientists, outbreak responders, and the entire Washington, D.C., office -- were told late Friday that they are being laid off as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to downsize the federal government, he New York Times reported .

It's not yet clear exactly how many workers were affected, but the cuts come during an already turbulent year for the agency. In August, a gunman opened fire at the CDC's Atlanta headquarters, and weeks later, now ex-director Susan Monarez was forced out under pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

According to The New York Times , layoff notices were emailed just before 9 p.m. Eastern time. It was reported that staff were told their

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