The US government’s communication freeze under the Trump administration has restricted access to critical information on bird flu (H5N1), a highly contagious virus that has been ravaging wild bird populations and infecting humans. Researchers and public health officials have expressed concerns that this freeze will hinder efforts to better understand how the virus spreads between species, potentially leading to a pandemic.
According to experts, at least 67 human cases of bird flu have been reported, with many more likely going unreported. Veterinarians and public health officials argue that releasing critical information, such as studies on veterinarians’ exposure to the virus, is essential to preventing the spread of the disease.
The freeze has caused widespread chaos and confusion among federal agencies, with many scientists and researchers struggling to get grants approved to study bird flu. The US is currently experiencing a bird flu crisis, with over 70% of dairy herds in California infected and half of all human cases occurring in people working on dairy farms in the state.
The Trump administration’s decision has been criticized by experts, who argue that it will pose an even greater threat to public health. “We want to know what the risk is here, especially with this new highly pathogenic avian influenza strain,” said Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and executive director of Our Honor. “Are we at a higher risk than even dairy workers because of the nature of our work?”
The communication freeze has also led to delays in the release of critical information, including results from studies on bird flu transmission to pet cats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which has not missed a publication since its inception, has not published any new data due to the freeze.
In a statement, a CDC spokesperson said that the HHS issued a “short pause” to allow a new team to set up a process for review and prioritization. However, experts argue that this will only lead to further delays and confusion among researchers and public health officials.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-communication-freeze-restricted-140006439.html