The Biden administration recently announced a series of measures to address the spread of bird flu among livestock, with a new funding of $101 million. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services released a joint statement outlining the new protocols in response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy cows.
Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Texas, there have been concerns about the spread of the virus. The agencies emphasized the use of scientific data, epidemiology, and risk assessments to mitigate risks to workers and the general public.
Efforts are being made to prevent bovine-to-human transmission and prepare for the possibility of human-to-human transmission. The USDA is providing financial assistance to livestock producers to supply personal protective equipment to their workers participating in a symptom surveillance program. The CDC is also increasing laboratory testing and surveillance for potential human cases.
The World Health Organization has highlighted the high human fatality rate of H5N1, with over 888 human infections worldwide and a fatality rate of over 52%. Symptoms in humans are similar to traditional flu symptoms but can escalate to gastrointestinal and neurological issues if untreated.
There is a concern about bovine-to-human transmission from asymptomatic cows, prompting initiatives such as wastewater testing to distinguish between animal and human infections. The CDC is funding genetic sequencing of H5N1 strains to track the virus’s evolution and spread.
Efforts are also being made to ensure the safety of the milk supply, with measures in place to dispose of contaminated milk in a biosecure manner. The FDA is monitoring the commercial milk supply for H5N1 virus particles and will continue to strengthen partnerships with regulatory bodies at the state level.
Overall, the government is taking a comprehensive approach to combatting the spread of bird flu and protecting both livestock and human health.
