California Bird Flu Lab Grapples with Staffing Crisis Amid Rising Outbreaks
Source: DairyNews.today
The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), a key player in combating the spread of bird flu across the state’s livestock industry, is struggling with understaffing and workplace tensions, according to current and former employees. The issues come amid a surge in avian influenza cases that threaten California's poultry and dairy sectors.
Critical Role Under Strain
Headquartered at the University of California, Davis, CAHFS is the state’s sole authority for confirming bird flu cases. The lab's timely testing helps farmers quarantine and cull infected livestock, limiting the spread of the H5N1 virus.
But workplace challenges have reportedly left the lab overextended. Staff shortages have led to delays and heightened risks of errors during testing, workers say, while complaints about management and pay have created an atmosphere of discontent.
Exodus of Experienced Staff
Several employees, including longtime supervisors, departed the lab in the past year. Workers have cited burnout, lack of adequate training, and overwhelming workloads as key reasons for leaving. “High turnover and disengagement of technical staff is weakening the ability of the CAHFS laboratory to fulfill its mission,” wrote one former supervisor, Helen Kado-Fong, in an email to UC Davis leadership before her early retirement in May.
At times, the lab has operated with just two technicians managing hundreds of daily samples, including those from poultry farms and dairy herds. “There’s a huge pressure to show up to work every day because I have no backup,” said Victoria Ontiveros, a lab technician.
Growing Threat from Bird Flu
Since September, outbreaks at turkey farms, chicken facilities, and other sites have affected more than six million birds statewide, according to USDA data. While less lethal in cattle, the virus has caused increased mortality rates and reduced milk production in infected herds, raising concerns for a state that produces 20% of the nation’s milk supply.
In September, the lab confirmed bird flu in a sample of raw milk from a Fresno dairy, prompting health officials to warn of potential contamination in Los Angeles County stores. Additionally, about 30 people in California, mostly dairy workers, have tested positive for the virus.
Operational Challenges and Oversight
Understaffing has reportedly led to testing backlogs and occasional lapses in quality control. In one instance, a miscalibrated machine required technicians to redo an entire day’s work, while a misplaced poultry sample went untested for three weeks. Despite efforts to ramp up hiring and training, workers say the onboarding of new staff has further strained existing resources.
UC Davis and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which co-operate the lab, have defended its performance. "The CAHFS lab has done tremendous work under demanding circumstances," a spokesperson said.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services inspected the lab in October following media inquiries. UC Davis has since increased staffing and sought assistance from a Wisconsin laboratory to help manage the testing load.
Despite these measures, workers say staffing remains inadequate. Technicians continue to report long shifts and mounting workloads. “I can only do so much,” said Alyssa Laxamana, a biotechnology worker at the lab, describing days when she processed hundreds of samples under intense pressure.
For Laxamana, leaving is not an option. "There are things that I can do to help prevent a disaster,” she said. “I could not bear to leave the lab in the condition that it is right now.”
Industry Impact
The challenges at CAHFS underscore the vulnerability of California's agriculture sector to infectious disease outbreaks. Experts warn that delays in testing could lead to broader outbreaks, compounding economic losses.
“Any potential delay in testing could result in greater spread,” said Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who specializes in animal influenza.
Headquartered at the University of California, Davis, CAHFS is the state’s sole authority for confirming bird flu cases. The lab's timely testing helps farmers quarantine and cull infected livestock, limiting the spread of the H5N1 virus.
But workplace challenges have reportedly left the lab overextended. Staff shortages have led to delays and heightened risks of errors during testing, workers say, while complaints about management and pay have created an atmosphere of discontent.
Exodus of Experienced Staff
Several employees, including longtime supervisors, departed the lab in the past year. Workers have cited burnout, lack of adequate training, and overwhelming workloads as key reasons for leaving. “High turnover and disengagement of technical staff is weakening the ability of the CAHFS laboratory to fulfill its mission,” wrote one former supervisor, Helen Kado-Fong, in an email to UC Davis leadership before her early retirement in May.
At times, the lab has operated with just two technicians managing hundreds of daily samples, including those from poultry farms and dairy herds. “There’s a huge pressure to show up to work every day because I have no backup,” said Victoria Ontiveros, a lab technician.
Growing Threat from Bird Flu
Since September, outbreaks at turkey farms, chicken facilities, and other sites have affected more than six million birds statewide, according to USDA data. While less lethal in cattle, the virus has caused increased mortality rates and reduced milk production in infected herds, raising concerns for a state that produces 20% of the nation’s milk supply.
In September, the lab confirmed bird flu in a sample of raw milk from a Fresno dairy, prompting health officials to warn of potential contamination in Los Angeles County stores. Additionally, about 30 people in California, mostly dairy workers, have tested positive for the virus.
Operational Challenges and Oversight
Understaffing has reportedly led to testing backlogs and occasional lapses in quality control. In one instance, a miscalibrated machine required technicians to redo an entire day’s work, while a misplaced poultry sample went untested for three weeks. Despite efforts to ramp up hiring and training, workers say the onboarding of new staff has further strained existing resources.
UC Davis and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which co-operate the lab, have defended its performance. "The CAHFS lab has done tremendous work under demanding circumstances," a spokesperson said.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services inspected the lab in October following media inquiries. UC Davis has since increased staffing and sought assistance from a Wisconsin laboratory to help manage the testing load.
Despite these measures, workers say staffing remains inadequate. Technicians continue to report long shifts and mounting workloads. “I can only do so much,” said Alyssa Laxamana, a biotechnology worker at the lab, describing days when she processed hundreds of samples under intense pressure.
For Laxamana, leaving is not an option. "There are things that I can do to help prevent a disaster,” she said. “I could not bear to leave the lab in the condition that it is right now.”
Industry Impact
The challenges at CAHFS underscore the vulnerability of California's agriculture sector to infectious disease outbreaks. Experts warn that delays in testing could lead to broader outbreaks, compounding economic losses.
“Any potential delay in testing could result in greater spread,” said Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who specializes in animal influenza.
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