The Trump administration has intervened in the release of important studies on the bird flu, as an outbreak escalates across the United States.

Veterinarians and public health officials say this and other information frozen in the “immediate pause” on communication issued by the Trump admin that has caused widespread chaos and confusion in federal agencies is critical to ensure that bird flu doesn’t spiral out of control and turn into a full-blown pandemic.

As cases of bird flu continue to surge across the U.S., Americans are largely feeling the symptoms in their pocketbooks rather than their bodies. Chickens, cattle and pricetags are the bird flu's primary victims -- and a new mutation of the virus is now circulating.