The ongoing Bird Flu outbreak is facing new challenges as concerns grow over federal workforce cuts impacting surveillance and response efforts. Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration’s budget reductions and terminations have affected critical agencies such as the USDA, CDC, and NIH, potentially undermining nationwide efforts to track and contain the virus. State officials have voiced alarm over staff shortages at federal labs, which play a crucial role in processing and confirming H5N1 test results. Additionally, concerns have emerged over public health data being removed from government websites, prompting state health agencies to secure key data before potential deletions hinder outbreak response efforts. Experts stress that these developments could hamper coordination between federal and state agencies, weakening the country’s ability to mitigate the spread of avian influenza.For the latest updates, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).“
Bird Flu Critical Updates:
As of 3 March 2025
- The Trump administration is facing setbacks in rehiring critical bird flu response staff after mass terminations disrupted federal surveillance efforts. USDA supervisors are reportedly being asked to justify rehires, while some returning employees still lack access to essential equipment, including laptops, delaying their ability to assist in outbreak containment.
- These bureaucratic delays have raised concerns among public health officials, who warn that a weakened federal response could hinder efforts to control the rapidly spreading H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. The struggle to restore staffing comes as cases in poultry, dairy herds, and wildlife continue to rise nationwide.
- Wisconsin officials have confirmed new H5N1 avian influenza cases in both wildlife and poultry, prompting increased public safety warnings. The virus has been detected in multiple wild bird species and commercial flocks, raising concerns over potential spillover to mammals and human health risks. State health agencies are urging poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to strengthen biosecurity measures, including limiting human-animal contact and reporting unexplained bird deaths to authorities.
- The ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak has led to significant egg shortages nationwide, prompting major grocery chains like Trader Joe’s, Costco, Whole Foods, and Kroger to impose purchase limits on egg cartons. While the most severe outbreaks have been traced to California, supply chain disruptions have impacted Texas and other states, where retailers are struggling to keep eggs on shelves.
- Egg prices have surged from $3 per dozen in February 2024 to $4.95 last month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With Easter approaching, demand is expected to rise further, exacerbating the supply crunch. The Trump administration has introduced a new response plan, but its potential to stabilize egg prices and ease supply constraints remains uncertain.
- Another raw pet food recall has been issued after the H5 avian flu strain was detected in cat food products. Wild Coast Raw, a pet food company in Olympia, Washington, voluntarily recalled certain lots of its frozen raw pet food for cats on March 1, 2025. The recall follows confirmed feline H5N1 cases in Oregon and Washington, linked to the company’s boneless free-range chicken formula, with best-buy dates of December 25, 2025.
- Similar outbreaks tied to raw pet food were previously reported in California and Oregon, reinforcing concerns about H5N1 transmission through contaminated pet diets. Health officials urge pet owners to avoid raw pet food for cats and dogs, citing growing evidence of H5N1 transmission risks and calling for stricter pet food safety regulations.
- As the H5N1 outbreak intensifies, concerns have emerged over the rising cost of eggs, with accusations that major egg producers are using the crisis to drive up prices. While industry leaders attribute the price hikes to supply chain disruptions and poultry losses from bird flu, advocacy groups and lawmakers are calling for an investigation into possible price gouging. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been urged to examine whether corporate dominance in the egg market is leading to artificial inflation, with prices reaching a record high of $4.95 per dozen this month. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has unveiled a new bird flu response plan, but experts remain uncertain about its effectiveness in stabilizing egg prices, a key driver of food inflation.
- According to the CDC, there have been 70 confirmed human cases of H5N1 since 2024, with California leading in reported infections (38 cases), followed by Washington (11 cases). Recent human cases have also been documented in Ohio and Wyoming, marking the first detections in these states. The majority of cases involve farmworkers in direct contact with poultry or dairy herds, highlighting the occupational risks associated with the outbreak. Additionally, a CDC study has identified three dairy veterinarians testing positive for H5N1.
- Public health authorities have issued urgent warnings to pet owners, particularly those with cats and dogs, about the risks associated with raw pet food. Reports from multiple states have linked feline deaths to H5N1 avian influenza, prompting concerns about potential transmission routes. In addition, investigations are exploring possible zooanthroponosis (human-to-animal transmission) in certain cases—especially among dairy workers in Michigan who may have exposed animals to the virus.uding one in a state without any previously known infected cattle, suggesting possible undetected transmission pathways. In January, the first human fatality from H5N1 in the U.S. was recorded in Louisiana, where an older adult with underlying health conditions contracted the virus from a backyard poultry flock.
- In a significant development, the USDA reports the first confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza in black rats in California. This, alongside infections in other mammals across the U.S., including seals, foxes, and domestic cats, indicates the virus’s growing ability to infect diverse hosts. This broader host range poses challenges for public health officials in containing the virus, especially given recent poultry outbreaks and staffing adjustments within the USDA.
- Public health warnings have been issued to pet owners, particularly those with cats and dogs, regarding the dangers of raw pet food. This follows reports of feline deaths linked to H5N1 avian influenza in several states. Investigations are also exploring the possibility of zooanthroponosis, or human-to-animal transmission, in certain cases, such as those potentially linked to infected dairy workers in Michigan
- The USDA is reportedly rehiring bird flu experts and employees, attributing previous firings to an ‘accidental’ decision. This move comes amidst growing skepticism from public health officials, who express concerns about potential downplaying of the risks associated with the rapidly evolving zoonotic pathogen and its public health implications in the United States
Further Readings:
- Bird flu outbreak in 2025: all you need to know to protect yourself and your family
- Why the bird flu cases are rising?
- CDC Resource for bird flu
With the virus continuing to spread among poultry, dairy cattle, and wildlife, experts emphasize the need for robust surveillance, coordinated testing, and proactive biosecurity measures. Public health officials urge farmworkers, veterinarians, and pet owners to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and report unusual illness in animals to authorities. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this outbreak, maintaining transparent communication and well-funded response efforts will be essential in preventing further zoonotic spillover and safeguarding public health.
