Nigeria, May 9 -- The Trump administration has shut down a key advisory committee at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that is responsible for setting infection control standards in hospitals nationwide.

The committee, known as the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), was terminated on 31 March, but members were only informed weeks later.

The CDC is the national public health agency of the United States, responsible for protecting public health and safety by promoting disease control, prevention, and preparedness.

The infection control committee was instrumental in developing guidelines followed by hospitals and healthcare providers to prevent infections, including practices for hand...