"Suffice it to say that when respected employees of any organization decide to take to the streets, or design external blogs to voice frustrations and outrage, the commonly accepted avenues of internal communication have either lost their credibility, or broken down completely," said Alonso, a 23-year CDC employee.

Gerberding declined to be interviewed about the trust issues being raised by her staff.

Proof of harm?

A lack of trust, an exodus of leaders and a major reorganization is a potentially dangerous mix, said Donald Kettl, director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

"Can you spell FEMA? It's the same kind of issue that they faced," he said.

"If there is a high level of conflict and tension, it makes it hard for people who need to, to work together --- and work well --- because they need trust," Kettl said.