FDA lays off bird flu leadership, among steep cuts to senior veterinarians
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has seen a significant loss of senior leadership and key personnel, including those responsible for managing the response to the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) crisis in animals. These cuts are part of a broader reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The move has raised concerns within the veterinary community regarding the nation's ability to monitor and respond effectively to emerging animal health threats.
Key Personnel Losses
More than 130 staff members at the CVM have been affected by the cuts, including:
Two senior veterinary officers overseeing the HPAI response
The majority of the Office of the Director leadership team (with the exception of Director Tracey Forfa)
Essential administrative and communications staff who coordinate safety alerts and manage testing
An anonymous FDA official expressed concern, stating, “The food compliance officers and animal drug reviewers remain, but there is no one in communications to issue safety alerts or administrative staff to pay external labs for product testing.”
Impact on Animal Health Programs
These reductions come at a time when HPAI H5N1 continues to spread through poultry flocks and has shown troubling spillover into mammals, including cats and dairy cattle. The personnel cuts affect several critical areas:
Pet Food Safety: The investigation of HPAI-contaminated pet foods and coordination of multistate recalls, including those linked to fatal feline cases, has been disrupted.
Animal Feed Oversight: Monitoring for contaminated feed ingredients entering livestock production systems is compromised.
Therapeutic Development: Research on antiviral treatments for animals and gene-editing projects aimed at developing HPAI-resistant poultry are at risk of stalling.
Broader Implications
The cuts at CVM extend beyond the veterinary sector:
Dr. Hilary Marston, the FDA’s Chief Medical Officer, a key figure in zoonotic disease response, was also among those laid off.
The Human Foods Program has lost over 100 staff, affecting food safety efforts related to HPAI.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), responsible for funding vaccine development, also faced significant staff reductions.
Veterinary Community Response
While the USDA’s animal health programs remain intact, the FDA cuts have sent shockwaves through the veterinary community.
“This is a dangerous erosion of our nation’s veterinary infrastructure,” said Dr. Jane Smith (DVM, DACVIM), a veterinary virologist at Cornell University. “When you remove the experts coordinating surveillance and response, you’re essentially flying blind in a pandemic that’s already affecting multiple species.”
What Clinicians Should Watch
Veterinary professionals are advised to stay vigilant for the following:
Increased Vigilance for HPAI in Pets: Cats, particularly those on raw poultry diets, are highly susceptible. Veterinarians should educate clients on the risks.
Delayed Safety Communications: Due to reduced personnel, safety alerts may be delayed. Clinicians should monitor university labs and state agricultural departments for the latest recall information.
Antimicrobial Resistance Gaps: With less FDA oversight, veterinarians may need to rely more on antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent resistance.
The Path Forward
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other veterinary organizations are expected to push Congress for restored funding to the FDA’s veterinary programs. In the meantime, clinicians are encouraged to:
Report suspected HPAI cases in pets to state veterinary offices immediately
Direct clients to FDA’s archived HPAI resources, though updates may be delayed
Advocate for the protection of veterinary leadership roles within federal agencies
The continued management of HPAI will require robust federal and state collaboration, and the veterinary community must work together to ensure that animal health and food safety are not compromised.
