One-sentence summary: Caitlin Rivers argues that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s suggestion to let bird flu spread through poultry flocks is dangerously complacent and ignores the virus’s unpredictable and potentially deadly nature.
Epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers critiques Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary, for downplaying the risks of H5N1 bird flu and proposing that outbreaks in poultry should be allowed to run their course rather than being controlled. Though recent U.S. human cases of H5N1 – which now include infections linked to dairy cows – have largely been mild, with only one death out of 70 infections, Rivers warns that this apparent mildness is misleading and potentially dangerous.
She notes that most recent infections have occurred in dairy farm workers and have presented symptoms like pink eye, suggesting different routes of infection, such as eye exposure from contaminated milk, rather than the more dangerous respiratory route seen in past global outbreaks. Still, some cases have been severe, including a death in Louisiana and hospitalizations in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting that the virus retains the capacity to be deadly.
Rivers explains that multiple H5N1 variants are currently circulating. The variant most common in American cows, B3.13, appears to cause milder illness, but others like D1.3 and D1.1, which are prevalent in wild birds and poultry, have been linked to the more severe U.S. cases. Despite this, Kennedy has called the dominant strain in cows “not very dangerous” and floated the idea of allowing it to spread to help identify resistant birds – a suggestion Rivers strongly opposes as impractical and risky.
Letting the virus spread unchecked in animal populations could increase the chances of it mutating to become transmissible between humans – a worst-case scenario that epidemiologists fear. Rivers emphasizes that even a virus with a lower mortality rate than H5N1’s historical 50% – such as the 1918 flu’s estimated 2-3% – could still have catastrophic consequences.
She criticizes the federal response as slow and underwhelming, citing delays in testing milk and compensating affected farmers. Comparing the situation to the early mishandling of COVID-19, Rivers advocates for a “no regrets” approach, urging policymakers to act decisively rather than wait for clearer signs of danger.
Rivers concludes by asserting that even though H5N1 has not yet gained the ability to spread easily among humans, policymakers should not take that risk, as the consequences could be devastating.
Rivers, Caitlin. “Opinion | R.F.K.’s Prescription for Bird Flu Is Dangerous.” The New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/opinion/bird-flu-america-death.html
Key takeaways:
- R.F.K. Jr. has suggested letting bird flu circulate in poultry, citing mild recent human cases.
- Most recent infections have been in dairy farm workers, showing mild symptoms, but experts warn this may not represent the full risk.
- Several H5N1 variants are circulating, with some linked to more severe illness.
- Allowing the virus to spread among animals increases the risk of it mutating to spread among humans.
- Epidemiologists warn against complacency and advocate for proactive containment measures.
- The U.S. response has been slow, with delayed testing and insufficient research support.
Important quotations:
- “The United States has gotten lucky so far, but that luck might not last.”
- “What keeps epidemiologists up at night is a scenario where bird flu gains the ability to spread efficiently among humans.”
- “This idea is not only dangerous, but also impractical.”
- “We shouldn’t give it the opportunity.”
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