Opinion: Biden faltered on bird flu. Here’s how Trump can course-correct.

So far, most human infections have been traced to occupational exposure in dairy or poultry farms, resulting in mild illness. None of these strains has shown an ability to transmit efficiently among people. However, research shows that the virus might be just a few mutations away from adapting to humans. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team would be wise to prepare for quick action after he takes office. The Biden administration has been mishandling the outbreak in cattle for months, increasing the possibility of a dangerous, wider spread.

Federal health officials over the past year, apparently chastened by accusations of sometimes inflating the risks from covid-19, have too often swung to the opposite extreme, minimizing hazards from the bird flu. America’s ability to take measured, effective steps in mitigating the risks to people — in the event that the virus mutates further, acquiring traits that boost its capacity to spread — will be a crucial test of whether the U.S. public health apparatus can protect Americans while also properly advising policymakers.

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