Radio Atlantic The Bird-Flu Tipping Point
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Mar 20, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Katie Wu, a Staff Writer at The Atlantic specializing in science, delves into the looming threat of bird flu amidst growing public health concerns. She highlights the devastating impacts on poultry farms, including the loss of millions of hens and soaring egg prices. Wu emphasizes the U.S.'s inadequate preparedness compared to the COVID response, while exploring the evolving nature of the virus and implications for food safety. The conversation also addresses the vaccine debates, stressing the importance of clear public health messaging to combat misinformation.
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Millions of Hens Lost
- Greg Herberg, CEO of a large egg farm, lost 6.5 million hens to bird flu in just over a week.
- This personal story highlights the devastating impact of the virus on the poultry industry.
Bird Flu's Impact
- Bird flu is impacting egg prices and availability, reflected in purchase limits at stores like Costco and Trader Joe's.
- The virus's spread to mammals like cows raises pandemic concerns, potentially worse than COVID-19.
Missed Opportunity for Containment
- Katie Wu believes the U.S. missed a critical opportunity to contain bird flu when it first appeared in dairy cows.
- The government could have intervened earlier and prevented its spread.