CDC scientific report resumes publication after unprecedented pause

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resumed publishing its weekly scientific report Thursday after an unprecedented pause, but information about the bird flu virus that was supposed to appear remained on hold even as the outbreak spreads.

Three studies about the H5N1 bird flu virus were scheduled to be released in the weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on 23 January according to multiple CDC officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation. But release of the results was abruptly halted when the Trump administration instructed federal health agencies to pause all external communications on 21 January.

The weekly document is the agency’s primary vehicle for disseminating public health information and recommendations. Health officials, clinicians and researchers are among those who rely on the studies for vital guidance. Until last month, the MMWR has been published without interruption since 1952, even during government shutdowns.

“Although I’m encouraged that the MMWR is being published again, I’m surprised and concerned that it doesn’t contain any reports on bird flu spreading in animals and people, the new strain of mpox spreading or other emerging health threats,” said Tom Frieden, a former CDC director for the Obama administration.

“If political decisions determine which health threats to highlight, we’ll all be less safe,” Frieden said. “I hope the new Administration will see the value in CDC publishing information on health threats every week, without political interference.”

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Source: Washington Post, 6 February 2025