Farmers are sounding the alarm as the bird flu outbreak in the US continues to worsen, with egg prices soaring by over 15% from a year ago. The latest data shows nearly 1,000 confirmed cases across 17 states, along with 68 human infections.
A new avian flu variant, D1.1, has been detected in dairy cows and an infected worker in Nevada, causing severe infections in humans. Scientists warn that the virus is adapting to infect humans, making it a growing concern.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently fired officials working on the response to bird flu before trying to hire them back, sparking concerns about the government’s ability to respond to the outbreak. Funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health could also hamper research into understanding the evolution of viruses.
President Donald Trump’s new administration is proposing a plan to combat the virus with biosecurity and medication, but critics argue that vaccinations are necessary to prevent further spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reportedly withheld weekly reports on bird flu and canceled briefings with lawmakers and state health officials.
Public health experts, including global health officials, fear that the funding cuts and reduced communication may hinder efforts to respond to the outbreak. With fatigue and decreased trust in public health officials following the Covid-19 pandemic, any administration must take this threat seriously.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93npyelnewo