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| Best of NAMA 2025 |
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OP-ED: THIS AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IS A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
Apr. 10, 2025
by Beth Bechdol, deputy director-general at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as it ran in Agri-Pulse
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| Beth Bechdol |
Growing up on my family's seven-generation farm in rural Indiana, I learned how quickly stability can turn to uncertainty. Agriculture teaches you that supply chains are fragile and that disruptions can escalate fast. Few crises illustrate this more starkly than highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a relentless virus that is spreading across borders, devastating poultry farms, and raising urgent questions about food security, economic stability, and public health.
Since 2022, nearly 600 million birds have been culled worldwide to contain the spread of the disease--including over 30 million egg-laying hens in the United States alone. But this crisis extends beyond agriculture. Avian influenza has been detected in more than 124 countries and has spilled over into at least 40 terrestrial mammal species and 13 marine species, including dairy cattle and household pets. The virus's continued evolution raises the risk of mutations that could have even graver consequences for both animals and humans.
The reality is stark: This is no longer just an agricultural issue--it is a global public health emergency in the making. The rapid spread of HPAI through migratory bird pathways, which span continents, makes containment an enormous challenge. And no single nation can fight this battle alone. The urgency for coordinated action has never been greater.
The good news? We have the tools to respond. Investments in biosecurity, early detection, and global cooperation are critical to containing this virus before it escalates further. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins' avian flu response plan is an important step forward, strengthening on-farm biosecurity measures and accelerating early detection efforts.
We are seeing signs of progress. Egg prices, which soared earlier this year, are beginning to trend downward. With key interventions, including increased imports and strategic supply chain adjustments, egg availability is improving just in time for the upcoming Easter holiday. But while immediate relief is welcome, we must also take long-term action to prevent future disruptions. We must also go beyond domestic solutions--this crisis demands a globally coordinated effort.
To read the entire article click here.
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