Officials from the Trump administration have hinted at a potential strategy shift in managing bird flu, suggesting that entire flocks may not need to be culled if the disease is detected.

Democratic states have initiated lawsuits against the mass layoffs, although a judge recently dismissed one case due to insufficient evidence of imminent harm.

The federal government has allocated nearly $2 billion to combat the bird flu outbreak, including $1.2 billion in compensation for affected farmers.

The USDA has not disclosed the number of employees initially fired or how many have been reinstated following the administration's reversal on the layoffs.

A USDA spokesperson confirmed that they are actively rescinding termination letters for affected employees.

The ongoing avian flu outbreak has severely impacted poultry and cattle farms, causing significant public health concerns and rising egg prices.

While some positions were eliminated, critical roles such as veterinarians and animal health technicians were preserved, with efforts underway to rectify the terminations within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Since the outbreak began in 2022, approximately 160 million birds have been slaughtered, primarily egg-laying chickens, leading to record-high egg prices averaging $4.95 per dozen.

Health experts remain concerned about the H5N1 virus's potential to evolve and spread among humans, with the CDC reporting 68 human cases, including one fatality.

The staff cuts at the USDA are part of broader reductions across federal agencies under the Trump administration, which have also affected the NIH and CDC, raising concerns about operational capabilities.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has prioritized the bird flu response, convening a panel to discuss strategies on her first day in office.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has acknowledged the accidental termination of several employees involved in the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak and is working to rehire them.