Outbreak and Response
The bird flu outbreak among cattle in the has expanded to at least 875 herds across 16 states, with the virus showing no signs of slowing down. Farmers and veterinarians have showcased extraordinary efforts to treat infected cows, likening the scene to a field hospital on a battlefront.
Despite spending over $2.1 billion on combating the virus in poultry and dairy farms, experts criticize the U.S. government's slow response and failure to contain the outbreak when it was limited to a few states. The 's recent nationwide milk testing order is seen as a delayed but necessary step.
Public Health and Pandemic Threat
The outbreak poses a significant threat to public health, with more than 60 people in the U.S. infected, mainly through contact with infected animals. Recent severe cases in and raise alarms about the virus's potential to spread among humans.
Experts warn of the high risk of a pandemic, drawing parallels to the . The virus's ability to mutate within human and animal bodies increases the chances of it spreading efficiently between people. The situation has led to a loss of faith in the government's ability to manage the outbreak effectively.