The USDA admitted to accidentally firing several employees working on the federal bird flu response, including three from the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
The H5N1 outbreak has devastated poultry flocks, driven egg prices to $10 per dozen, and led to 68 human cases, including one hospitalization.
The USDA is working to rehire affected staff, calling the layoffs a mistake. The firings are part of broader cuts under President Trump’s administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which recently terminated 1,165 NIH employees.
Republican Representative Don Bacon criticized the rapid layoffs, urging more caution. Despite the disruptions, the USDA continues efforts to contain the outbreak and ensure food safety.
