Democrats in the House of Representatives launched an investigation into Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the agency’s response to bird flu.

“Today, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Emily Randall, Rep. Lateefah Simon, and Rep. Wesley Bell sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), raising concerns about Secretary Kennedy’s lackluster response to the bird flu outbreak and requesting information about how HHS will address the outbreak and associated costs, including coordination plans with other federal agencies,” a press release from Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee read.

“We write regarding the widespread outbreaks of avian influenza, or bird flu, and your recent comments appearing to minimize the health and economic threat that such outbreaks pose. Not only has avian influenza infected 70 Americans and killed one, but this pathogen has killed more than 168 million birds since 2022 and is leading to skyrocketing egg prices for consumers as it spreads through poultry and cattle farms. We request information about how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is addressing outbreaks of avian flu and the associated costs, including any coordination with other federal agencies,” the members wrote.

The Hill reports:

Those who signed the letter were Democratic Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.), Emily Randall (Wash.), Wesley Bell (Mo.), Lateefah Simon (Calif.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly (Va.).

Since last year, there have been 70 American cases of bird flu and one death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Kennedy has a history of controversial views around health, most notably on vaccines. When was asked about bird flu during a confirmation hearing for his current role, he responded that he “intends to devote the appropriate resources to preventing pandemics.”

In the Tuesday letter, the Democrats asked Kennedy for information including “documents and communications related to coordination” among the HHS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the CDC and National Institutes of Heath regarding mitigation of avian flu and “any non-governmental experts consulted by HHS related to the federal response to avian flu, such as public health officials, epidemiologists, scientists, veterinarians, etc.”

“Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, has said that he does not support a bird flu vaccine for poultry,” Reuters noted.

A closer look:

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Per Reuters:

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has said that she has met with Kennedy several times about bird flu and a spokesperson said they are “aligned on approach,” but did not expanded on her position.

The USDA said on March 20 that it is investing $100 million to research vaccines and other therapeutics for bird flu.

The USDA said on a webinar on Tuesday that it has consulted with the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine about potential therapeutics to address bird flu.

Some staff involved in the bird flu response at CVM were fired on Tuesday as part of mass layoffs at HHS.

 

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