Don’t let H5N1 Bird Flu become the next pandemic

I am writing to express concern about the increasing threat of avian influenza (bird flu) and its impact on public health, agriculture, and ecosystems. Rising cases in wild and domestic birds heighten the risk of the virus adapting to infect humans, posing a potential global health crisis. I urge you to act now to mitigate this threat. Key Actions to Address the Threat 1. Enhanced Monitoring • Strengthen surveillance of avian influenza in wild and domestic birds. • Increase funding for the CDC and USDA to expand outbreak tracking. 2. Vaccine Development • Prioritize funding for vaccines for both avian populations and humans. • Build a stockpile of antivirals and quickly adaptable vaccines. 3. Biosecurity in Agriculture • Enforce stricter biosecurity measures on farms and live bird markets. • Support small farms in adopting safer practices. 4. Public Education • Launch campaigns on avian influenza risks and prevention. • Provide guidance for backyard poultry keepers. 5. Pandemic Preparedness • Update plans to include zoonotic diseases like bird flu. • Strengthen public health infrastructure for rapid response. Avian influenza has already devastated poultry farms, wildlife, and economies. Without decisive action, we risk further food supply disruptions, ecological harm, and a potential human health crisis. Please champion robust policies and funding to protect public health and our environment. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to hearing your plans to address these concerns.