HMM: A CDC researcher left work sick two weeks ago — then vanished.
Timothy J. Cunningham had been a rising official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Harvard-educated epidemiologist was promoted in July at the U.S. Public Health Service in Atlanta and contributed to responses following outbreaks of Zika, Ebola and health emergencies caused by Hurricane Sandy. He also was a prominent fixture in the Atlanta community, earning a spot in Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Awards last year.
But the researcher, who studies disease patterns, was not feeling well Feb. 12 and left work around midday.
Cunningham, 35, hasn’t been seen or heard from since, his family and police have said, sparking a $10,000 reward offered by the family in partnership with Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta for information leading to an arrest and indictment in connection with the incident.
Given the nature of his work, you would hope the CDC is investigating Cunningham’s disappearance. Given the low level of competence often displayed by our government agencies, you wouldn’t give too much credence to your hope.