Federal health officials have been instructed to temporarily stop any “external communications” to the public, according to two officials with knowledge of the situation.

The Trump administration has put a freeze on many federal health agency communications with the public through at least the end of the month.

Scientific meetings were canceled, and research data on the bird flu outbreak was delayed, amid confusion over the directive.

The agencies are charged with making decisions that touch the lives of every American and are the source of crucial information to health-care providers.

In a memo obtained by NPR, acting health secretary Dorothy Fink forbade staff from public communications on most matters until Feb. 1, unless they get express approval from 'a presidential appointee.'

Amid a deluge of executive actions, the Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to pause external communications, such as regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories,

As the new Administration considers its plan for managing the federal policy and public communications processes, it is important that the President’s appointees and designee

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed federal health agencies to pause all external communications, such as health advisories, weekly scientific reports, updates to websites and social media posts,