EXCLUSIVE: My latest @VanityFair investigation examines why the federal response to the growing #H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows became marred by obfuscation + an unspoken `Don't test, don't tell' policy on America's farms, and how /1 vanityfair.com/news/story/ins…
.@USDA's dual role - to safeguard livestock health + America's $174.2 B agriculture trade played a role. Early in the outbreak, USDA veterinary employees began calling state colleagues, to say they'd been muzzled by their own agency and could no longer communicate directly. /2 
This effective gag order led three national veterinary orgs to write @SecVilsack a letter obtained by VF to urge transparency and "continue to allow this coalition unfettered access" to USDA field staff. /3
In affected states, at least 5 veterinarians who urged more testing, advocated for infected workers or refused to give sick herds an all clear have been fired by the dairy farms where they worked, creating a chilling effect. /4
The #s of infected herds is sharply escalating: as of late Friday, 324 dairy herds in 14 states, and at least 26 farm workers have been infected. In California, up to 15% of infected cows have died, their bodies piled outside dairy farms. /5
Experts warn the unchecked spread could spark a pandemic. If the virus “infects a person infected with a human flu strain, and something comes out that is reassorted and adapted to humans? I don’t even want to imagine,” says Jürgen Richt of @KSUCVM. “Not good.” /6
Grateful to many experts/officials, among more than 55 people I interviewed. To name a few: @RickABright @thijskuiken @AustinFrerick @mkromm007 @drcrystalheath @cyrusshahpar46 @nirav_uscdc. Hyperlinks to the exceptional reporting of @HelenBranswell @susrust + more. /7
Finally, if you have further info/leads on the outbreak or federal/@USDA response, DM me for Signal or contact me through my website: /8katherineeban.com/contact
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