Biodefense Headlines – 2 November 2025
CDC Under Political Pressure
The CDC is facing intense criticism due to political interference, mass firings, and the impact of a government shutdown. This situation has weakened the agency's ability to conduct scientific work effectively.
“You have a CDC that has been basically taken over by ideologues. This has never happened before. You have political appointees running the agency, setting policy on social media, making statements that show that they have very little understanding of or respect for basic scientific method, evidence, and facts.” – Vox, New York Times
Bird Flu Threatens Thanksgiving Poultry Supply
The bird flu season began early this year in North America, severely impacting poultry farms. Since September 1, outbreaks have led to the loss of 1.2 million turkeys, nearly 20 times the losses seen in the same period of 2024. Additionally, poultry farms have lost 5.5 million egg-laying hens—double last year’s early-season losses.
Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is showing hopeful signs of decline, suggesting that the end of this public health crisis might be near.
WHO’s mRNA Technology Transfer Program
The global rollout of WHO’s mRNA technology transfer program continues, aiming to enhance vaccine production capabilities worldwide.
Biosecurity Concerns Amid Surveillance Lapses
During the government shutdown, lapses in disease surveillance have raised alarms about gaps in biosecurity, threatening readiness against infectious threats.
Summary: The CDC struggles under political pressures amid escalating bird flu threats and Ebola's decline, while WHO advances mRNA vaccine tech globally, highlighting the fragility of disease surveillance during shutdowns.