The United States has seen 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu across 10 states, with no sustained human-to-human transmission. Despite this, the country’s preparedness measures remain lacking. Experts point to a series of mistakes made during the COVID-19 pandemic that are now being repeated.
A lack of early warning signs and inadequate testing are major concerns. Although the first severe case was reported recently, the virus has been present in wild birds for decades. The U.S. has struggled to contain the outbreak, with many farmers reluctant to get tested due to fear of losing revenue.
Increased testing is crucial to detect and contain outbreaks early. However, this approach remains absent from the current response, mirroring the lack of preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in research and innovation to find effective treatments is also essential, as a specific monoclonal antibody against the bird flu virus does not exist.
The Trump administration’s alleged plan to withdraw from the World Health Organization further exacerbates the issue. International collaboration is necessary to mitigate the spread of disease across continents. Soaring misinformation about public health issues remains a significant problem, with vaccine hesitancy and anti-science messaging hindering efforts to combat the bird flu.
As Dr. Omer Awan warns, “Those who forget history are most likely to repeat it.” The U.S. must take proactive steps to address these concerns and prevent a repeat of past mistakes.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/omerawan/2025/01/06/why-the-us-could-be-making-the-same-mistakes-with-bird-flu-as-it-did-with-covid-19