RFK Jr. suggests letting bird flu spread on farms

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary, has proposed a controversial approach to handle bird flu on poultry farms. He suggests that farmers should allow the virus to spread among their flocks. This way, they could identify birds that are immune to the virus and preserve them. Kennedy’s idea has been shared during interviews, including on Fox News. He believes this approach could help manage the situation better. Brooke Rollins, the agriculture secretary, has also expressed support for exploring this method. She mentioned that some farmers are open to trying it as a pilot project while ensuring safety measures are in place. However, many veterinary scientists strongly disagree with this strategy. They warn that allowing the virus to spread could lead to serious health risks for the birds and significant economic fallout for farmers. Dr. Gail Hansen, a former state veterinarian, labeled the idea as “terrible,” citing various reasons why it could be harmful.