Staff exodus at US Department of Agriculture leaves fewer experts to battle bird flu outbreak

HUNDREDS of veterinarians, support staff and lab workers at the animal health arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have left under the Trump administration’s push for resignations, according to three sources familiar with the situation, leaving fewer specialists to respond to animal disease outbreaks.

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The departures come as the country battles its longest-ever outbreak of bird flu and faces the encroachment of New World screwworm, a flesh-eating pest detected among cattle in Mexico.

“With the decrease in USDA veterinary positions, there is concern that fewer veterinarians will be able to perform ongoing regulatory requirements, disease investigations, and response planning and preparation,” Kansas animal health commissioner Justin Smith said.

“This could result in slower response times and less responsiveness to local veterinary needs,” he added.

Egg prices set records this year after bird flu wiped out millions of laying hens. Cases have slowed in recent weeks, though experts warn outbreaks could flare up again during the spring and fall migratory seasons for wild birds that spread the virus.

More than 15,000 USDA employees have taken President Donald J. Trump’s financial incentive to quit, about 15% of agency staff, as part of administration efforts spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk to shrink the federal workforce.