The new US Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary has said she aims to develop a "comprehensive" strategy to combat the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) in the US.

Brooke Rollins, who in November was nominated by Donald Trump to lead the USDA during his new administration, was confirmed in that role by a vote in the US Senate last week, with senators voting 72-28 to confirm her appointment.

She becomes the 33^rd US secretary of agriculture, and the second woman to hold the role.

She took charge of USDA immediately, and outlined a number of steps taken on her first day.

Among those, Rollins - a long time supporter of Trump since his first term in office - convened a briefing on bird flu and "reviewed options" for a comprehensive strategy to combat the disease.

The new secretary said she also aims to lower the price of eggs for American consumers through the same strategy.

As well as that, Rollins said she "reviewed and implemented" the findings of the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), a government organisation (and not, technically, a government department as the name might suggest) run by businessman Elon Musk.

DOGE has been tasked by Trump with identifying perceived wastefulness and inefficiencies in government spending and public procurement.

Rollins said that, as part of her review of DOGE's findings, the USDA has "identified more than $132 million in excess spending".

The USDA said it has terminated 78 contracts, totaling more than $132 million. Additionally, more than 1,000 contracts are currently under review, while 948 employee trainings have been cancelled.

Commenting on her confirmation, Rollins said: "It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the nation’s thirty-third secretary of agriculture — and a privilege beyond description to have the trust of President Donald J. Trump, and the opportunity to advance his agenda."

Rollins, a native of Texas, is from a farming background, and attended an agricultural university in her home state, graduating with a degree in agricultural development in 1994.

She was also a member of Future Farmers of America, a farming and rural youth organisation, and her family is involved in livestock showing.

However, she subsequently studied law and become an attorney by profession.

In her recent career, she has been involved in policy development for the Republican Party, and has been involved in think-thanks that work in promoting the policies and political agenda of Trump.