by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing backlash from some in the medical freedom movement after he announced last week that he signed a "targeted PREP Act" declaration to develop and deploy medical countermeasures for hantavirus.

In a post on X, Kennedy said the declaration "helps remove barriers to research and response efforts" for the recent outbreak that has garnered significant media attention during recent weeks.

"HHS is taking this situation seriously and will continue working to protect public health and support the safe development of potential treatments and countermeasures," he said.