The US has seen an outbreak of bird flu, with 67 people infected in the country so far. Two important studies are set to be published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), but their release has been put on hold by the Trump administration.
One study looks at whether veterinarians treating cattle have unknowingly contracted the bird flu virus. Another study investigates cases where people carrying the virus may have infected their pet cats.
The MMWR is a prestigious journal that has been published without interruption since 1952. However, an order from Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink has led to a sudden pause in communications by federal health agencies.
Former CDC officials are concerned about this move, citing the importance of science being free from political interference. “This is unprecedented,” said Anne Schuchat, former principal deputy director at the CDC. “If it’s not short-lived, it’s censorship.”
The pause affects not only these two studies but also other scientific reports and surveillance data on various health issues. The delay could harm Americans by stunting the ability of the US government to detect and curb health threats.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has intervened in CDC reports, with a 2022 report revealing instances of political interference during the covid-19 pandemic. Former CDC director Tom Frieden expressed concerns about this latest move, saying it would become dangerous if the reports aren’t restored.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/30/health/bird-flu-mmwr-pause-trump-kff-partner/index.html