This week, as Georgia grapples with cases of avian influenza, norovirus, and other serious public health issues, Donald Trump ordered the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to cease all external communications and stop working with the World Health Organization. The communications disrupted by Trump’s order included several reports on bird flu set to be released as the outbreak worsens.

“On the heels of his first term when he disastrously mismanaged the COVID pandemic that killed a million Americans, Trump is now willfully ignoring public health crises instead of solving them,” said DPG spokesperson Dave Hoffman. “Silencing public health agencies to evade the very real consequences of his irresponsible policy choices will not improve health and safety in Georgia or anywhere else.”

AP: CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately, upending expectations of an extended withdrawal
Mike Stobbe, 1/27/25

• Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as brewing threats from around the world. 
• It also comes as health authorities around the world are monitoring bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock.

USA Today: Bird flu found in Georgia commercial poultry plant, a first for nation’s leading producer
Mike Snider, 1/21/25

• The most recent state to have its poultry operations hit with bird flu: Georgia.
• The Georgia Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, confirmed on Friday, Jan. 17, a positive case of bird flu – highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – in a commercial poultry operation located in Elbert County, Georgia.
• While it is the fifth bird flu detection in the state, it’s the first confirmed case in one of the state’s commercial poultry operations, the department said.

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: This virus is breaking records in Georgia & there’s no treatment. Here’s how to stay safe
Sundi Rose, 1/13/25

• As many of you may already know firsthand, the 2024-2025 norovirus season is showing an alarming trend upward, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Many reports indicate a significant surge in cases across the Southern United States, particularly in Georgia. 
• December marked the highest level of norovirus outbreaks since 2012 and is the cause of over 100,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths per year. This year promises to be even worse. 
• Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, described the latest increase as “quite substantial,” which may seem like a bit of an understatement at this point.