Over half of the money is set to assist the overall effort to stop the virus, while the remaining funds will go to dairy farms affected by the bird flu outbreak.
As an incentive to contain and track the spread of Type A H5N1 influenza, known as the bird flu, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pledging almost $200 million to dairy farmers and other containment efforts. While about half of the money will be allocated for government organizations to closely track the spread, the remaining funds will directly benefit farmers whose cattle was infected as compensation for production losses.1
Furthermore, the government is hoping the funds will incentivize farmers in the many states experiencing outbreaks to test their dairy cattle, but dairy farmers are unsure of how much the funds will actually help.2
The government is hoping the funds will incentivize farmers in the many states experiencing outbreaks to test their dairy cattle. | image credit: Mikko Palonkorpi / stock.adobe.com
Earlier this year, a dairy farmer tested positive for the bird flu. It was the first known human case in the US since April 2022. Although the risk of a bird flu outbreak in humans remains low, the government has swiftly acted to contain the spread. With the current outbreak existing in over 40 herds of dairy cattle across 9 states, the government has announced it is pledging nearly $200 million to contain the spread and increase testing.3
Regarding allocation of funds, $101 million will be dedicated to the CDC and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to test, track, and treat any animals or humans who come into contact with the virus. Another $98 million will be given to dairy farmers who will be provided up to $28,000 each to monitor their cattle. Farmers with infected cattle who have seen a loss in production due to effects of the virus will also be compensated.1,2
However, since the government’s recent announcements regarding an increase in cattle testing, many farmers are reluctant to allow the government to intervene. This is mainly because of how the government’s intervention could affect business. If farmers test positive, they may be forced to miss work and necessary compensation—not unlike the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. If dairy cattle tests positive, it must be taken out of production, which is money being taken away from farmers.1,2
Despite farmers’ reluctance, the government has a detailed plan to allocate funds through the USDA. The allocation includes $100 offered to several dairy farms for the purchase of an in-line sampler, which increases dairy testing as products move along their normal process. The USDA is also offering farms $1500 to develop biosecurity plans and another $2000 to farms that treat their wasted milk before disposal.Finally, an additional $8 million will be given to the FDA to monitor and contain the spread within the US milk production market.2
READ MORE: Bird Flu Virus Detected in US for First Time in 2 Years
Despite US health officials’ continued communication stating that there are low risks of an outbreak among humans, recent actions to stop the current spread in dairy cattle show that these organizations are taking the virus seriously. And aside from fund allocations and constant monitoring of the virus, the CDC is putting an even greater focus on communication and alerting the public of what to look out for regarding the bird flu.
READ MORE: Bird Flu Samples Found in Dairy Products Across the US
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