Denver, Colorado – Federal authorities have allocated almost $200 million to combat the spread of bird flu on dairy farms in the United States. The funding is aimed at assisting farms in minimizing the transmission of the virus, covering veterinary expenses, and compensating farmers who have experienced losses due to ill cows.
One of the primary objectives of the funding is to promote testing among dairy cows and farm workers, which experts consider essential in accurately assessing the extent of the bird flu, also known as H5N1, nationwide. Currently, there is no mandatory testing requirement for dairy cows, except when they are being moved across state lines. The decision to conduct tests is left to the discretion of the farmers.
Since the implementation of a federal order in late April, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network has conducted 905 tests for bird flu among cattle, with 112 testing positive. The outbreak has already affected 42 herds across nine states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio, and Texas.
To aid affected farms, the USDA plans to provide $98 million over the next four months, potentially amounting to $28,000 per farm. While some experts view this program as a significant step forward, others believe it may not be sufficient for larger farms that could face losses of up to $3 million in the event of a bird flu outbreak.
In addition to farm support, the Department of Health and Human Services will contribute $101 million to enhance monitoring of individuals exposed to sick animals, contact tracing, and genetic testing of the virus for mutations. Some of the funds will also be allocated for wastewater surveillance of the virus, with the CDC expected to publicly release the data soon.
Wastewater testing has revealed high levels of influenza A in the Midwest and Northeast regions, prompting further investigation into the bird flu outbreak originating in Texas. Recent discoveries suggest fragments of the virus have been detected in pasteurized dairy products, raising concerns about undetected spread. Despite minimal cases reported among dairy workers, experts believe additional instances of bird flu may be going unnoticed.
While the risk of bird flu transmission to the general public remains low, experts stress the importance of vigilance. The ongoing efforts to contain and monitor the virus aim to protect both livestock and human health while providing crucial data for future disease management.