Much of the scientific communication typically released publicly from federal health agencies remains on pause, according to multiple sources within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

Staffers say the communications stoppage, along with a barrage of memos from the Trump administration with sweeping instructions to scrub all evidence of gender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, is affecting efforts to protect Americans’ health within the health agencies.

The halt in communications is occurring during an intense flu season and outbreaks of other respiratory illnesses, as well as an escalating bird flu outbreak.

“Their effects on the CDC has led to a near complete stop of day-to-day work,” said a physician at the CDC who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Department of Health and Human Services directives allow for the release of communications that could be considered a matter of critical health and safety.

The pause was expected to end Feb. 1.