Sonya Stokes, an emergency room physician based in the San Francisco Bay Area, prepares herself for a relentless influx of patients displaying flu-like ailments such as coughs, fever, vomiting, and general discomfort. With a pressing need for accurate information, she finds herself in a challenging position as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vital provider of real-time analysis on public health threats, has notably reduced communication in the wake of President Donald Trump’s inaugural address. “Without more information, we are blind,” Stokes expressed.
This flu season has proven particularly severe. The CDC’s estimates indicate there have been at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 fatalities linked to the flu since early October. Compounding this issue, a bird flu outbreak is reportedly affecting both cattle and farmworkers. However, important CDC analyses intended to provide clarity about these crises have been delayed, with the organization reportedly cutting off vital communication channels with healthcare professionals, researchers, and the World Health Organization (WHO), according to numerous health experts.
“Currently, the CDC is not providing influenza data via the WHO’s global platforms, FluNet and FluID, which they have utilized for many years,” stated Maria Van Kerkhove, the interim director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the WHO, during a February 12 press briefing. She mentioned ongoing communication efforts but noted a lack of feedback.
On his first day in office, President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO. Meanwhile, key analyses pertaining to seasonal flu distribution expected through the CDC’s Health Alert Network (HAN) have hit a standstill, as indicated by confidential sources familiar with the agency’s operations who requested anonymity due to potential backlash.
Data reviewed by KFF Health News revealed a concerning trend: around 7.7% of patients visiting outpatient clinics and hospitals with flu-like symptoms was recorded in early February, surpassing levels seen in four out of the last five flu seasons, including the notably dangerous 2003-04 season, which claimed the lives of at least 153 children.
Without comprehensive analyses, it remains uncertain whether the sharp increase in flu-like symptoms predicts a rise in hospitalizations or deaths, which would necessitate preparedness from hospitals, pharmacies, and schools. It is particularly crucial to know precisely how many of these illnesses are influenza-related and which specific strains are prevalent. A thorough report would also help clarify the severity and transmissibility of the current flu strain.
“I need clarity on whether we are facing a more virulent strain or if co-infections with other viruses are exacerbating my patients’ conditions. That insight would enable me to assess their risks effectively,” Stokes remarked. “Delays in obtaining vital data pose serious risks at the frontline.”
The CDC’s flu dashboard has highlighted increased influenza activity; however, it lacks the comprehensive data necessary for a thorough risk assessment. The dashboard also fails to provide the actionable guidance typically found in HAN alerts. For instance, an earlier report in 2023 urged clinics to test patients for various respiratory pathogens, rather than automatically attributing symptoms to influenza, as other viruses had also been implicated that year.
“This situation is deeply troubling,” remarked Rachel Hardeman, a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee. On February 10, Hardeman and fellow committee members reached out to acting CDC Director Susan Monarez to clarify the reasons behind the missing data, delayed publications, and the potential ramifications of significant staff reductions at the CDC. “The CDC plays a crucial role in our nation’s health security.”
Numerous studies have also faced delays or remain unpublished in the CDC’s esteemed Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Anne Schuchat, a former principal deputy director at the CDC, expressed concerns over possible political interference with scientific findings, emphasizing, “Withholding information can lead to confusion and may pose serious dangers.”
CDC spokesperson Melissa Dibble refrained from commenting specifically on the delays or missing analyses but stated, “It’s expected to see elevated flu activity at this time of year.”
A draft of an unpublished study, which has been held back from the MMWR for three weeks, details a possible instance of bird flu transmission from workers to their pet cats in Michigan. The indoor cats exhibited severe illness and died. Although the workers did not undergo testing, one displayed symptoms consistent with bird flu. After a cat’s illness, a household adolescent began coughing but tested negative for the flu, indicating the presence of a different cold-causing virus.
Corresponding CDC documents summarizing the cat study and another bird flu analysis indicated that these were slated for publication on January 23. The briefing utilizes evidence to recommend that dairy farmworkers change attire and wash off residues before returning home, aiming to safeguard household members, including indoor cats.
Jennifer Nuzzo, the director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, labeled the postponement of bird flu reports as concerning, citing their necessity for public awareness amid an escalating situation filled with uncertainties. She noted that the United Kingdom revised its assessment of the risk posed by the U.S. bird flu outbreak, stressing that “incomplete and tardy data generates uncertainty,” and could lead to counterproductive responses.
One recently released bird flu study was published in the MMWR on February 13, three weeks later than originally scheduled. It documented unrecognized infections among three cattle veterinarians based on the presence of antibodies to the bird flu virus in their blood. This included a veterinarian working in Georgia and South Carolina, regions without any reported dairy farm outbreaks. The research suggests severe underreporting of infections in both cattle and humans, with Nuzzo noting it also reinforces that data can provide peace of mind—indicating limited human transmission from cattle.
Amid all this, the CDC has instead dedicated attention to non-urgent matters such as past wildfires in California and Hawaii, as noted by Nuzzo, which detracts from addressing pressing health emergencies. “The urgency of the bird flu outbreak demands immediate data dissemination to protect public health,” she pointed out.
This week, a federal judge commanded the CDC and associated health agencies to “restore” datasets and websites modified as identified in a lawsuit by Doctors for America. In addition, the judge instructed these agencies to identify any additional resources utilized by DFA members in medical care and restore them by February 14.
CDC advisory committee members have pushed for an investigation into the missing data and delayed studies. Hardeman, who is also a health policy expert at the University of Minnesota, stated that the committee is perplexed by the reasons behind the data being suppressed or scrubbed, adding, “I hold the acting CDC director, the HHS head, and the White House responsible for these lapses.”
Highlighting potential ramifications of the current administration, Hardeman expressed concerns about the advisory committee’s future, acknowledging that the Trump administration could choose to disband it. However, she affirmed the group’s commitment to demanding transparency and rigor in CDC operations, underscoring their deep-seated dedication to public health. “We refuse to remain silent,” she declared.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom focusing on health issues and part of KFF—an independent organization for health policy research, polling, and journalism. For further inquiries or tips, contact KFF Health News’ Amy Maxmen at [email protected].
