California is grappling with a growing bird flu crisis, and the silence from the White House is deafening. As the H5N9 strain of avian influenza spreads across the state, infecting poultry, dairy herds, and even humans, the federal government’s lack of communication and coordination is raising alarms among public health experts and state officials. This is not just a story about a virus—it’s a story about how the erosion of trust and transparency in government can exacerbate a public health emergency.
The Outbreak: A New Strain Emerges
The H5N9 strain of bird flu was first detected in December 2024 at a duck farm in Merced County, California. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly, leading to the culling of over 119,000 birds to contain the outbreak. This strain is rarer than the more common H5N1, which has been responsible for most human cases globally. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to the general public remains low, the virus’s ability to mutate and jump species has scientists on edge.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in December 2024 to mobilize resources and strengthen the state’s response. Yet, the state’s efforts are being hampered by a lack of federal support and information sharing.
The White House’s Silence
The Trump administration’s approach to the bird flu crisis has been marked by opacity and inaction. In one of its first moves, the administration issued a directive pausing most external communications from federal health agencies, including the CDC, except for those deemed “critical to preserving health”. This has effectively muzzled the agencies responsible for tracking and responding to the outbreak.
Compounding the issue, the administration has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), severing a vital channel for global pandemic data sharing. The closure of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness, established during the Biden administration, has further weakened the country’s ability to coordinate a national response.
Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, warned that the administration’s actions are “dangerously misguided” and could worsen the economic and public health toll of the outbreak. “Pausing health communications at a time when states are scrambling to contain this virus is like disabling a smoke alarm during a fire,” she said.
The Stakes: A Looming Pandemic?
The bird flu outbreak in California is not just a local issue—it’s a potential global threat. Since the H5N1 strain was first detected in U.S. dairy herds in March 2024, it has spread to 16 states, infecting over 900 herds and causing sporadic human cases. The CDC has reported 67 human infections in the U.S., including one death, and scientists warn that the virus is just a few mutations away from becoming a pandemic.
The economic impact is already being felt. Egg prices have soared by 20% in 2025, and the culling of infected livestock is disrupting food supply chains. Meanwhile, the virus’s spread to mammals, including house pets, raises troubling questions about its ability to adapt to new hosts.
A Crisis of Leadership
The bird flu crisis is a test of leadership, and so far, the federal government is failing. Public health experts emphasize that transparency and coordination are essential to managing outbreaks. Yet, the Trump administration’s actions—silencing health agencies, withdrawing from international organizations, and dismantling pandemic preparedness infrastructure—are undermining these principles.
This is not just a failure of policy; it’s a failure of trust. When governments withhold information, they erode public confidence and make it harder to mobilize collective action. As Dr. Jesse Goodman, a former FDA official, put it, “This is like some brush burning around your house. You better pay attention because it could turn into something else”.
The Path Forward
California is doing what it can to contain the outbreak, but it cannot go it alone. The federal government must step up, restore transparency, and provide the resources and coordination needed to address this crisis. This includes re-engaging with the WHO, reinstating the Office of Pandemic Preparedness, and lifting the gag order on federal health agencies.
The bird flu outbreak is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that pandemics are not just biological phenomena—they are political and social events that test the resilience of our institutions. The question is whether we will rise to the challenge or let the flames consume us.