NIGERIAN MILITARY JET CRASHES IN NIGER. (PHOTO).
Avian flu is resurging across the U.S., driven by migratory birds, raising concerns about the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks—especially during the ongoing government shutdown. Experts warn that the virus could disrupt commercial poultry production, driving up food prices, while also evolving and spilling into other species, heightening fears of human-to-human transmission and a potential pandemic.
Over the past month, influenza has been detected in 62 commercial and backyard flocks across 17 states, affecting roughly 6.6 million birds. Infections have also appeared in dairy cows, cats, and other mammals in several states. Public health officials say response efforts are hampered by staffing cuts at the USDA and CDC, immigration enforcement on farms, and the government shutdown, which has suspended critical activities such as weekly calls among animal health labs. Experts warn that vaccine distribution to livestock has lagged, and emergency response planning is slowed, leaving the U.S. struggling to gather sufficient information for timely, evidence-based decisions. While federal agencies maintain that emergency operations continue, shrinking resources and communication gaps are making it harder to contain the spread.
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