Internal emails obtained by Nature indicate that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has been instructed to remove references to "pandemic preparedness" and "biodefense" from its website as part of a broader reorientation. NIH leadership signaled a shift toward basic immunology and current infectious-disease burdens in the U.S., reducing emphasis on predicting future threats. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya described the change as a “complete transformation” of the institute’s priorities. Scientists and public‑health experts warned the move could leave gaps in surveillance and countermeasure development against emerging pathogens. The directive affects roughly one-third of NIAID’s budget that previously funded emerging infectious disease and biodefense work.