Epidemiologists group to feds: End health gag order

Amid frozen communications from U.S. healthcare agencies, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology is calling for an immediate end to the gag order on CDC communications. 

Following a directive from President Donald Trump, HHS issued a pause on mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health, according to the FDA. In a Feb. 4 news release, APIC said the restrictions endanger public health. 

Mr. Trump's directive was issued Jan. 21 and set to last through Feb. 1. The order remains in place, according to APIC. 

"Silencing this communication endangers every community, erodes public trust in health agencies, and weakens our ability to respond effectively to infectious health threats," the organization said. 

Apart from ongoing outbreaks and emerging threats — including tuberculosis, bird flu, measles, Marburg virus and Ebola — APIC shared concerns regarding preventable infections and a lack of public health resources for healthcare professionals. 

"We call upon the Trump administration and HHS to immediately lift these restrictions and restore open communication of critical public health information between health agencies, medical professionals, and the public, including the CDC's Health Alert Network," APIC President Carol McLay, DrPH, said in the release. "Silencing critical public health information endangers lives, weakens our ability to respond to outbreaks, and puts every community at greater risk."

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