President Trump ordered a “blackout” for federal health agencies, which bans them from publishing external communication, but this cut-off could leave health care professionals and the public unable to appropriately respond to the increasing spread of bird flu.
The virus has been rapidly spreading among birds, wreaking havoc on the poultry industry. A strain has begun circulating among livestock as well.
Under Trump’s order, agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will not be allowed to publish scientific reports, issue health advisories or update their websites.
While continuing to stress that the risk to the public is low and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the CDC had recently advised hospitals to speed up testing for bird flu in admitted patients, urging subtype tests for those positive for influenza A be done within hours of admission.
With a blackout, the CDC will no longer be able to send out vital alerts and response procedures, which could hinder the appropriate response needed to slow the spread.
Nationwide, the virus has been detected in 84 commercial and backyard flocks in the last month, with 10.7 million birds on those sites, according to the latest online data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has also been confirmed in dozens of dairy farms.
While human cases are rare and are mostly found among farmworkers, one person has died from bird flu. The Louisiana Public Health Department reported the first bird flu-related human death in the U.S.
The patient, who was over 65, contracted bird flu after coming in contact with both a backyard bird flock and wild birds. The patient was “reported to have underlying medical conditions,” health officials said in the release.
CNN reported that a follow-up memo specified the blackout is set to last through Feb. 1 and includes public speaking engagements and communications with lawmakers. Communications deemed urgent, such as recall notices or those required by law, are exempt but higher-ups must be notified.
During a change in administration, it’s not uncommon for agencies to pause external communications. However, the blackout comes at a time of concern over public health issues and as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated for HHS secretary, faces a potentially lengthy confirmation.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
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