Bird Flu Spreads in U.S., Raising Concerns Over Public Health Response

The United States is grappling with the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has infected 66 people across 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus, which has been detected in wild birds, poultry, and dairy cows, recently caused a severe case in a Louisiana man who had contact with sick birds. Despite the growing number of cases, public health officials maintain that the risk to the general population remains low, as there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The first human case of bird flu in 2024 was reported on April 1, stemming from a cow-to-human transmission. Since then, the virus has spread to dairy herds in 16 states, with three states reporting new cases in the past month. The CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have implemented measures to monitor and contain the outbreak, including testing raw milk for the virus. However, critics argue that the response has been reactionary, mirroring the early missteps of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Omer Awan, a public health expert, warns that the U.S. may be repeating past mistakes.