US Announces $306 Million in New Bird Flu Funding

WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden’s administration has announced a $306 million investment to enhance the nation’s bird flu preparedness, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The funding will support federal, state, and local monitoring programs, as well as research into potential medical countermeasures against the H5N1 virus.

“Although the risk to humans remains low, we must always prepare for any potential scenario,” Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “Preparedness is essential to keeping Americans healthy and the nation secure.”

Rising Concerns Over Bird Flu

Since early 2024, the United States has reported 66 human cases of bird flu. Experts believe the actual number may be higher, as cases among poultry and cattle workers might go undetected.

While the virus has not shown sustained human-to-human transmission, scientists are alarmed by the amount of bird flu circulating among animals and humans. There is concern that it could combine with seasonal influenza and mutate into a more transmissible strain.

Uncertainty Over Incoming Administration’s Response

The announcement coincides with concerns about how the Trump administration will address the bird flu threat. In a recent interview with Time, Trump indicated plans to abolish the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, a body established under Biden. However, it is unclear if he has the authority to do so, as the office was created by Congress.

Trump’s pick for Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has also drawn criticism for his controversial views on public health and promotion of raw milk, which some experts warn could spread bird flu.

Criticism of Current Response

Biden’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of the bird flu outbreak. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies cited issues such as “lagging data, incomplete surveillance, sluggish coordination, mistrust, and insufficient planning and stockpiling of vaccines and treatments.”

Meg Schaeffer, an infectious disease epidemiologist, warned that avian flu could evolve into a pandemic or become a widespread health issue within the next one to two years. She specifically urged raw milk consumers to reconsider, given the potential risks.

Potential Mutation Raises Alarms

Adding to the concern, a virus sample from a critically ill patient in Louisiana showed signs of mutating to better adapt to human airways. Although there is no evidence of further spread, health officials remain cautious.

Researchers are also closely monitoring bird flu infections in cats, which could pose risks to humans through close contact.