RFK Jr.'s Proposal to Let Bird Flu Spread Faces Overwhelming Criticism

Health Secretary Kennedy's plan to allow bird flu to spread through poultry farms to identify immune birds is widely condemned by experts as dangerous and scientifically unsound.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suggested allowing bird flu to spread naturally in poultry farms to identify birds with potential immunity, a departure from the current policy of culling infected flocks.
Experts warn that this approach could lead to dangerous mutations of the H5N1 virus, increasing the risk of a strain transmissible to humans and worsening the public health threat.
The proposal is criticized for being inhumane, as the virus causes nearly 100% mortality in infected poultry, leading to significant animal suffering and economic losses for farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has expressed interest in piloting the plan despite strong opposition from scientists and veterinarians who argue it is unfeasible and risky.
The debate highlights broader concerns about U.S. pandemic preparedness, as the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy has been severely downsized, raising questions about the nation's ability to manage biological threats.