FDA Layoffs and Bird Flu Concerns
FDA staff cuts bird flu response capacity as 140 employees are removed from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, sparking criticism. The FDA staff cuts are part of a larger effort to reduce the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 82,000 employees to 62,000.
The CVM plays a crucial role in regulating animal drugs, pet food, and disease control, including efforts to contain the spread of bird flu. Former employees and industry experts warn that these cuts could hamper food safety oversight, international trade monitoring, and public health protections.
The Impact on Public Health
The FDA has been actively involved in controlling the spread of bird flu, which has affected nearly 170 million chickens in the past three years. The outbreak has also resulted in:
- Higher egg prices due to poultry losses.
- Infections in dairy farms, with rapid virus spread.
- Health risks for humans, especially farm workers.
- Pet food recalls after contaminated food led to cat deaths.
Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warned that losing these staff members would undermine the agency’s ability to oversee drug availability, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety.
FDA’s Role in Bird Flu Containment
The FDA works with the USDA and CDC to monitor bird flu outbreaks and ensure proper handling of vaccines, testing, and recalls. However, the sudden reduction in force has left the CVM without key leadership and subject-matter experts.
One veterinarian, who worked at the center for 17 years, described the layoffs as removing the “head and body” of the organization, leaving only a few experts without proper coordination.
Trump Administration’s Justification
The HHS fact sheet, released on March 27, states that the cuts aim to streamline operations and reduce redundancy. However, the fact sheet did not directly address bird flu response concerns.
Meanwhile, watchdog groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest call the layoffs “arbitrary” and “devastating”, warning that they could weaken protections against foodborne outbreaks and chemical hazards.
What’s Next?
The FDA staff cuts will likely impact public health and animal disease control in the long term. With the bird flu outbreak still ongoing, experts worry about the government’s ability to contain future crises.
Source: USA Today
