The campaign to control bird flu in the U.S. has been hampered by transitions in the Trump administration, leading to cost-cutting measures, workforce reductions, and limited communications. The virus, H5N1, has spread to 17 states, affecting over 1,000 cattle herds and causing significant avian casualties, yet federal responses have been criticized for being slow and uncoordinated. Experts warn of the virus's potential to mutate into a human contagion, but efforts to contain it are challenged by insufficient legal authority to enforce testing and an overwhelmed workforce. The administration's focus on reducing egg prices neglects the growing threat in dairy cattle, while internal turmoil, such as the firing of key scientists and delayed data releases, exacerbates the situation. Despite efforts to improve biosecurity on farms, the virus's rapid evolution and spread among various species pose ongoing challenges to containment strategies.

The Trump administration's transition has led to a slowdown in efforts to contain bird flu due to cost-cutting, workforce reductions, and restricted communications, affecting the ability to address the virus effectively.

H5N1 has spread across 17 states, infecting over 1,000 cattle herds and killing millions of birds, while federal responses have been criticized for lacking coordination and being too slow to adapt to the virus's spread.

Experts highlight the potential for the virus to mutate into a human contagion, noting that a recent mutation indicates it is moving closer to this possibility, yet legal constraints hinder comprehensive testing and monitoring efforts.

The administration's response is criticized for focusing on egg prices rather than addressing the growing threat in dairy cattle, compounded by internal disarray including the firing of essential scientists and delayed data dissemination.

Efforts to improve biosecurity on farms have shown some success, but the virus continues to evolve rapidly and spread among various species, challenging containment efforts and raising concerns about its long-term presence on farms.

Internal turmoil within federal agencies, such as layoffs and delayed data releases, has further complicated the response to bird flu, with morale among staff reportedly low and the workforce stretched thin.

Despite some progress in farm-level biocontainment, experts argue that the current structure of poultry farming and the virus's adaptability make it difficult to fully control outbreaks, underscoring the need for radical industry changes.