RFK Jr. proposes letting bird flu spread among poultry

In a recent Fox News interview, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that the United States might consider letting the bird flu virus spread among poultry flocks. He believes this approach could help identify and preserve birds that are immune to the virus. Kennedy's idea has sparked discussion among officials, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. She has mentioned a pilot program that would allow the virus to affect a flock while attempting to contain its spread. The goal would be to study the surviving birds for their resistance to H5N1, the strain of bird flu impacting the country. However, many scientists argue against this approach. They emphasize the importance of culling infected birds immediately to control the virus. H5N1 has a nearly 100% fatality rate in chickens and turkeys and has already led to the death of millions of wild birds. The virus can spread quickly, and its symptoms include severe respiratory issues and swift death. So far, about 166 million birds have been culled in efforts to control the outbreak, leading to significantly higher egg prices. While human infections with H5N1 are rare, one death has been reported in the U.S. Most cases occur in people with close contact to infected animals. Experts warn that allowing the virus to spread unchecked could increase the chances of it mutating, potentially making it easier for humans to contract the disease. The estimated mortality rate for humans infected with H5N1 is around 50%. Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA commissioner, expressed concerns about the fragile immune systems of hens bred for high egg production. He warned that uncontrolled transmission could lead to more dangerous viral mutations. Emily Hilliard, deputy press secretary at HHS, clarified that Kennedy's stance is based on the risks associated with culling, which requires close contact with infected birds. She stressed that strong biosecurity measures should be the priority rather than allowing the virus to spread, which still poses risks to human health.