The US government departments are allocating approximately $200m to prevent the spread of avian flu within the country’s dairy farm network. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $98m, while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is allocating $101m to contain the H5N1 virus.
Since its arrival in North America in 2021, the avian flu has caused significant disruptions in poultry populations and has resulted in the suspension of meat exports from certain states. For instance, a Texas facility owned by Cal-Maine Foods had to temporarily halt production after detecting the flu, leading to the culling of millions of birds.
The virus has been identified in dairy cattle across nine states, with concerns about its potential wider impact. Despite some experts being skeptical about its spread to cattle, the US government is taking proactive measures amid concerns about the virus’s transmission to humans.
The USDA’s funding aims to support biosecurity initiatives on dairy farms, providing up to $28,000 per farm. Meanwhile, the HHS funding through the FDA and CDC focuses on protecting public health and the food supply. This includes testing efforts, vaccine development, and wastewater surveillance to contain the virus and ensure the safety of the milk supply.
In collaboration with federal partners, the USDA is working to equip producers with tools to maintain the health of their herds and reduce the risk of further spread. The government’s approach emphasizes urgency and coordination across various agencies to address the situation comprehensively.
