New federal program would place six wildlife disease coordinators across the U.S.

What does this do?

S 4451 would establish the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Program inside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program would hire six coordinators — one national, one focused on Tribal nations, and four regional — to connect federal agencies including the CDC, USDA, and Department of Homeland Security with state and Tribal wildlife and public health officials. Their duties would include sharing outbreak information, helping states and tribes apply for funding, and reporting to Congress on gaps in the current system.

Who does it affect?

Federal agency employees, state wildlife and agriculture officials, and Tribal wildlife managers would work directly with or serve as these coordinators. Rural communities, farmers, livestock producers, and the general public would be indirectly affected through changes in how quickly disease outbreaks are detected and managed.

Why does it matter?

Congress notes that more than 60 percent of known human infectious diseases originally came from animals and that outbreaks are becoming more common. The 2022 bird flu outbreak alone resulted in over $2.5 billion in federal payments to affected farmers as of early 2025.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $900,000/year starting 2027
• Six coordinator positions funded
• Bird flu cost U.S. over $2.5 billion