The US is facing a growing crisis as the bird flu virus continues to spread across the country, affecting over 100 million birds and nearly 1,000 herds of dairy cattle. The virus has already claimed at least 66 lives, mostly among people working closely with cows. While the risk of a full-blown H5N1 pandemic is currently considered “moderate,” experts warn that the virus poses a persistent danger to public health.
The US government’s inaction is being criticized by flu virologists, who argue that the country has failed to take adequate measures to contain the outbreak. “We are doing nothing to stop it,” says Seema Lakdawala, an expert at Emory University. The situation could have been contained with more aggressive intervention almost a year ago, when the virus first began to spread.
The US government’s decision not to act decisively has resulted in a longer and more devastating outbreak, with far more cows and birds affected than necessary. As the situation continues to worsen, public health experts are urging the government to take immediate action to contain the outbreak and prevent a potentially catastrophic pandemic.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/01/bird-flu-embarrassing/681264