On Trump’s cut cue, USDA fires officials working to contain bird flu; now working to ‘rectify’ mistake

As the Trump administration hangs on a spree of firing federal employees, the US Department of Agriculture “accidentally” laid off several people who were working on responding to the rising cases of bird flu in the country.

The agency said that it is now trying to re-hire those employees. A USDA spokesperson said, “Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters.”

“USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service frontline positions are considered public safety positions, and we are continuing to hire the workforce necessary to ensure the safety and adequate supply of food to fulfill our statutory mission,” the spokesperson added.

‘They need to be more cautious’

Multiple agencies within the Agriculture Department, including the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, are involved in the outbreak response. On Sunday, Politico reported that layoffs during the Trump administration affected the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which conducts avian flu research.

The ‘accidental’ layoffs have sparked concern among US President Donald Trump ’s own party lines as many Republican leaders reportedly warned POTUS that dismissing employees from the USDA might hamper the government’s response to the rising cases of avian influenza, two people told NBC News.

Rep. Don Bacon, a member of the Agriculture Committee, said, “They need to be more cautious. There’s an old saying, ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ Well, they are measuring once and having to cut twice. Some of this stuff they’re going to have to return back. I just wish they’d make a better decision up front.”

Bird flu on the rise

Poultry farms across the US are reeling under cases of bird flu, decreasing production of eggs and driving up their prices in retailers and restaurants. Although the possibility of transmission of avian flu from animals to humans is low, the overcirculation of the virus can cause mutation.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 68 cases of bird flu among humans so far.

Last week, the wholesale prices for large, white shell eggs touched $8 a dozen, breaching the previous all-time high record of $5.46 per dozen.

However, according to a report by CNBC, the prices may not burn a hole in the pockets of the consumer. Ryan Hojnowski, a market reporter, said, “Large national retailers like Walmart and Aldi often have more flexibility to absorb wholesale price increases.”