Grateful for @USDA to finally share some #H5N1 flu virus sequences from a few of the cats in the ongoing / widespread outbreak in the food supply across the US (dairy, poultry) Very oddly, they have chosen to hide the location of infected cats and when viruses were collected. No data on how many infected cats have been found, are these representative or hand selected? No cow sequences shared, even though they’ve been sequencing many (and attempting to analyze sequences) Makes me wonder, how long has this outbreak been going on? How long has the @USDA known about it? Why are they intentionally withholding certain metadata and epi data? When will they be transparent about the extent of the outbreak and the risk to human food supply, commerce, and potentially even public health? The lack of transparency is very troubling. We’ve seen before that lack of transparency erodes public trust and has a hugely negative impact on collaboration and cooperation when it’s most critical. We can do better.
Grateful for @USDA to finally share some #H5N1 flu virus sequences from a few of the cats in the ongoing / widespread outbreak in the food supply across the US (dairy, poultry) Very oddly, they have chosen to hide the location of infected cats and when viruses were collected. No data on how many infected cats have been found, are these representative or hand selected? No cow sequences shared, even though they’ve been sequencing many (and attempting to analyze sequences) Makes me wonder, how long has this outbreak been going on? How long has the @USDA known about it? Why are they intentionally withholding certain metadata and epi data? When will they be transparent about the extent of the outbreak and the risk to human food supply, commerce, and potentially even public health? The lack of transparency is very troubling. We’ve seen before that lack of transparency erodes public trust and has a hugely negative impact on collaboration and cooperation when it’s most critical. We can do better.
@RickABright @USDA USDA is a textbook example of agency capture, and is nothing more than a lobbying arm of agribusiness. I wouldn't expect honesty from them. @WHO should take over coordination of #H5N1 investigation in USA. Unfortunately, Biden Admin is proven incompetent re: public health.
@lgoshen @RickABright @USDA @WHO We can see the CDC in lock step w/Biden admin & commissioned IMPACT Research talking points. These agencies are owned by the Biden admin as well as corporate interests. Ex: Delta's CEO letter to CDC to lower quarantine from 10 -5 days, HICPAC role to lower PPE 4 BSL 3 pathogens.
@lgoshen @RickABright @USDA @WHO No telling what else he has intentionally not shared with the public dealing with health. We see with COVID how possible that really is and how it's not a concern to him or his administration.