Staff at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases were reportedly instructed to remove references to 'biodefense' and 'pandemic preparedness' from public web pages amid an agency overhaul led by NIH leadership. Internal emails obtained by Nature indicate NIAID will reprioritize research away from future‑threat preparedness toward basic immunology and diseases currently affecting U.S. populations. Public‑health experts warned the shift could reduce U.S. capacity to monitor and counter emerging zoonotic threats; the directive has immediate operational implications for funded programs and the nation’s biodefense posture.