Musk’s takeover of US health agencies raises pandemic threat, experts warn

Elon Musk’s gutting of federal agencies and spending is hampering pandemic preparedness, experts say, especially with rising rates of bird flu. Composite: EPA, Reuters

The so-called “department of government efficiency”, the Donald Trump-created program known as Doge and headed by the billionaire Elon Musk, has accessed or requested access to sensitive systems at multiple health agencies as the US president attempts to grant the committee sweeping powers within the federal government.

The bid for access comes amid an unprecedented effort to halt government spending, despite multiple court orders to unfreeze funds and reverse staff suspensions.