Amid rising concerns over an avian influenza outbreak and its impact on egg prices, the USDA is facing backlash after accidentally firing key staff involved in bird flu response. The Trump administration attempted mass layoffs, including the termination of bird flu experts, which sparked outrage among farmers in the Midwest, who fear that such cuts could weaken efforts to combat the crisis. Following the uproar, the USDA quickly moved to rehire the affected employees, acknowledging the mistake and the potential consequences of losing critical personnel in the fight against bird flu. Health agencies and advocacy groups are urging for timely data releases on the outbreak and demanding a reevaluation of federal staffing decisions that could undermine public health efforts.