A new bird flu outbreak has spread to 944 cattle herds in 16 states, with 67 confirmed human cases and one fatality reported in Louisiana. Public health experts worry that President Donald Trump may struggle to respond to this threat due to his track record during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experts point to the Biden administration’s decision not to vaccinate farmworkers against bird flu as a missed opportunity to stem the spread. Given likely resistance to another vaccination push, especially among Trump voters, Trump’s options are limited.
Critics of the former president say he may need to impose new restrictions on ranchers to prevent further spread. However, such measures could be costly and unpopular with some of his base, making them unlikely.
“This is a concerning point in the ongoing outbreak,” says Rick Bright, a former government health official who criticized Trump’s response to COVID-19. “The virus is changing quickly, and more people and animals are getting exposed and infected.”
With the bird flu outbreak continuing to spread, experts warn that Trump will need to take decisive action to prevent further transmission. However, his track record suggests that he may struggle to respond effectively to this new threat.
Source: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/01/is-trump-2-0-ready-for-another-public-health-threat-00201073