Nature reported that staff at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases were directed to remove references to 'biodefense' and 'pandemic preparedness' from the institute’s web pages as leadership restructures research priorities. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya described a shift toward basic immunology and diseases currently affecting U.S. populations. The change could reallocate roughly one‑third of NIAID’s $6.6 billion portfolio that previously supported emerging‑pathogen surveillance, countermeasures, and biodefense work. Experts including Nahid Bhadelia have warned the move could reduce U.S. readiness for novel spillover events and evolving pathogens; Congressional and public‑health stakeholders are likely to scrutinize the shift.