In a controversial move, the Trump administration has halted the publication of critical studies on the bird flu, alarming public health officials.
The reports, prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were designed to shed light on how the virus is spreading among livestock veterinarians and whether infected workers may have passed the virus to their pets.
The decision has sparked concerns among health experts, who warn that withholding scientific data could hinder efforts to prevent a potential outbreak.
The research was intended to appear in the highly regarded scientific journal, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which has been published regularly since 1952.
However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered federal health agencies to have all scientific statements reviewed by a presidential appointee prior to their scheduled distribution.
Former officials from the CDC voiced their criticism at the move. They referred to it as the unprecedented interference in politics. According to former principal deputy director of the CDC, Anne Schuchat, “Science should not be held hostage to political agendas.”.
Experts fear that withholding information about bird flu infections may prove serious. The findings of the study were of extreme interest to those most at risk, livestock veterinarians, and could guide their preventive measures.
The delay will also affect scientists’ ability to track the virus and learn about its behavior and spread, making a pandemic a more realistic scenario.
As health officials push for transparency, many fear that political roadblocks could undermine efforts to combat emerging public health threats.
