(An explanation of the map is at the bottom)
Last night (April 20) CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes took an in-depth look at avian influenza, bird flu, which is so lethal in poultry that it’s killed more than 160 million birds and driven egg prices sky high.
Bird flu took a significant turn in 2024 with the discovery that the virus had jumped from a wild bird to a cow. That was the theme for the show’s report: that if the virus is left unchecked and continues to mutate, it could spiral into a possible pandemic.
In just over a year, the pathogen has spread through dairy herds and poultry flocks across the U.S. It has also infected people, resulting in 70 confirmed cases, including one fatality.
In one vignette, a Colorado dairy farm was hit by bird flu, which spread from cow to cow. It cost the farm about $400,000 to treat its sick cattle, and most recovered. Some farmworkers also got ill after being exposed to sick cattle.
CBS Correspondent Bill Whitaker spoke with veterinarians and virologists who warn that, if unchecked, this outbreak could lead to a new pandemic. They also raised concerns about the Biden administration’s slow response in 2024 and now the Trump administration’s decision to lay off over 100 key scientists.
A transcript and video of the segment is available here. Our most recent story was on RFK Jr.'s suggestion that it be allowed to run its course. And, in a podcast, Nate Hedtke of the American Egg Board discusses why he believes the industry will find solutions.
PHOTO AT TOP: The map shows states that experienced bird flu outbreaks among dairy herds (dark blue) and poultry flocks (light blue) from March 2024 through February 2025. States with orange dots have also had bird flu reported among people, with California experiencing the most cases. Some states experienced both poultry and dairy infections. Courtesy Dr. Kamran Khan via CBS 60 Minutes
