Did the CDC really cancel a key safety workshop? What this could mean for your health
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If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have noticed a worrying trend: bird flu, once a rare concern, is now making its way into the news—and, alarmingly, into American cattle herds and poultry flocks.
But just as experts were gearing up to share vital information on how to protect ourselves, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) abruptly pulled the plug on a major workshop designed to help prevent human infections.
What’s going on, and what does it mean for you and your loved ones? Let’s break it down.
The National Academy of Sciences called off a planned workshop on preventing human bird flu infections after receiving instructions from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to halt preparations, according to an email viewed by Reuters and sent to one of the scheduled presenters.
In the past year, bird flu has been detected in 70 individuals—mostly farmworkers—as the virus has rapidly spread among cattle and poultry populations.
Health experts, including former CDC officials under President Joe Biden, previously cautioned that continued transmission could lead to viral changes that "raise the risk it could more easily infect people."
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, did not comment on the cancellation.
Also read: Are you at risk? The shocking discovery about silent bird flu infections
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's administration has stated it is taking "aggressive" steps to contain the virus, including "heightened biosecurity on farms."
The now-canceled workshop, organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, was originally scheduled for June 26–27.
It was set to cover protective measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, for high-risk groups such as "farmworkers and veterinarians."
According to the event website, the planning committee included "workplace health experts, veterinarians and a representative from the poultry and egg industry."
Source: 60 Minutes / Youtube.
Jenna Gibbs, director of operations at the nonprofit Ag Health & Safety Alliance, said she was informed Monday that a planned workshop where she was set to present materials on proper PPE use had been canceled.
"Unfortunately, the National Academies received a contract termination notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the workshop and accordingly, it has been canceled," read an email to Gibbs from a workshop organizer, which was reviewed by Reuters.
The event was initially organized in response to farmer requests following a March forum on bird flu preparedness hosted by the National Academies.
Gibbs noted that a planning session had just taken place on April 22, saying, "We were in full planning mode."
Also read: Is a new bird flu strain on the horizon? First human case from a dairy worker discovered.
A notice on the event's website states, "On April 23, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services informed the National Academy of Sciences that it should terminate all work on this activity. This activity has ended, and a final product was not released."
Advocates for farmworkers have emphasized the importance of training on proper PPE fit and usage to help reduce the risk of bird flu infections.
During a Colorado outbreak last year, the CDC attributed some farmworker infections to "suboptimal use of PPE."
Previous reporting indicated that staffing losses at US health agencies have impacted the federal response to bird flu.
Source: Morning Brew / Youtube.
You might be thinking, “I’m not a farmer—why should I care?” Here’s why:
- Bird flu is evolving. The more it spreads among animals, the greater the chance it could mutate and become more contagious among humans.
- Farmworkers are our first line of defense. If they’re not properly trained or protected, the risk of the virus spreading increases—not just on farms, but potentially into the wider community.
- Workshops like this save lives. Training on proper PPE use and infection control can make the difference between containing an outbreak and letting it spiral.
Read next: A $25 reward for getting tested? This state’s bold move to stop bird flu
Have you or someone you know worked in agriculture or been affected by bird flu concerns? Do you have questions about how to stay safe, or thoughts on how public health agencies should communicate during outbreaks? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!
But just as experts were gearing up to share vital information on how to protect ourselves, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) abruptly pulled the plug on a major workshop designed to help prevent human infections.
What’s going on, and what does it mean for you and your loved ones? Let’s break it down.
The National Academy of Sciences called off a planned workshop on preventing human bird flu infections after receiving instructions from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to halt preparations, according to an email viewed by Reuters and sent to one of the scheduled presenters.
In the past year, bird flu has been detected in 70 individuals—mostly farmworkers—as the virus has rapidly spread among cattle and poultry populations.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructed the National Academy of Sciences to cancel a workshop on preventing human bird flu infections. Image source: WLWT / Youtube.
Health experts, including former CDC officials under President Joe Biden, previously cautioned that continued transmission could lead to viral changes that "raise the risk it could more easily infect people."
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, did not comment on the cancellation.
Also read: Are you at risk? The shocking discovery about silent bird flu infections
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's administration has stated it is taking "aggressive" steps to contain the virus, including "heightened biosecurity on farms."
The now-canceled workshop, organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, was originally scheduled for June 26–27.
It was set to cover protective measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, for high-risk groups such as "farmworkers and veterinarians."
According to the event website, the planning committee included "workplace health experts, veterinarians and a representative from the poultry and egg industry."
Source: 60 Minutes / Youtube.
Jenna Gibbs, director of operations at the nonprofit Ag Health & Safety Alliance, said she was informed Monday that a planned workshop where she was set to present materials on proper PPE use had been canceled.
"Unfortunately, the National Academies received a contract termination notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the workshop and accordingly, it has been canceled," read an email to Gibbs from a workshop organizer, which was reviewed by Reuters.
The event was initially organized in response to farmer requests following a March forum on bird flu preparedness hosted by the National Academies.
Gibbs noted that a planning session had just taken place on April 22, saying, "We were in full planning mode."
Also read: Is a new bird flu strain on the horizon? First human case from a dairy worker discovered.
A notice on the event's website states, "On April 23, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services informed the National Academy of Sciences that it should terminate all work on this activity. This activity has ended, and a final product was not released."
Advocates for farmworkers have emphasized the importance of training on proper PPE fit and usage to help reduce the risk of bird flu infections.
During a Colorado outbreak last year, the CDC attributed some farmworker infections to "suboptimal use of PPE."
Previous reporting indicated that staffing losses at US health agencies have impacted the federal response to bird flu.
Source: Morning Brew / Youtube.
You might be thinking, “I’m not a farmer—why should I care?” Here’s why:
- Bird flu is evolving. The more it spreads among animals, the greater the chance it could mutate and become more contagious among humans.
- Farmworkers are our first line of defense. If they’re not properly trained or protected, the risk of the virus spreading increases—not just on farms, but potentially into the wider community.
- Workshops like this save lives. Training on proper PPE use and infection control can make the difference between containing an outbreak and letting it spiral.
Read next: A $25 reward for getting tested? This state’s bold move to stop bird flu
Have you or someone you know worked in agriculture or been affected by bird flu concerns? Do you have questions about how to stay safe, or thoughts on how public health agencies should communicate during outbreaks? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!
