What Happens When the CDC Issues Fewer Alerts?

"If you're based in the United States, you've probably gotten used to government bodies issuing nationwide alerts - including ones that relate to public health. These have, historically, been good ways for health-conscious people to know what to look out for and for regional public health experts to develop strategies to help keep potential outbreaks contained.Unfortunately, now both individuals and institutions are reckoning with a big question: what to do when those warnings are much smaller in number?"

"At the heart of NPR's reporting is the CDC's Health Alert Network, which its website describes as the agency's "primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents." Generally, NPR reports, this meant "dozens" of alerts per year. In 2025, there were just five issued. As experts told NPR, these alerts can help doctors and other medical professionals know what to prioritize and be aware of."

"What's more notable, at this point, are the public health crises that the CDC has not issued Health Alert Network notifications for - including a measles outbreak and the current strain of the flu. Regarding the latter, Sam Torbati, MD of Cedars-Sinai Emergency Department observed, "It seems to be a more aggressive strain, and it seems to be a tougher problem." It's a concerning situation - but given that job cuts at the CDC in the last year, it isn't as surprising as one might expect."

CDC Health Alert Network notifications dropped sharply in 2025, with just five alerts issued compared with dozens in prior years. These alerts provide cleared information about urgent public health incidents and help clinicians prioritize and be aware of specific threats. Several significant outbreaks, including measles and an aggressive flu strain, have not triggered Health Alert Network notifications. Clinicians describe the current flu as more aggressive and harder to manage. Recent job cuts at the CDC coincide with fewer alerts and may have reduced the agency's capacity to issue timely warnings. Reduced alerts complicate outbreak detection and local public health responses.

Read at InsideHook