Trump administration takes aim at bird flu. For now, the cattle will have to wait
The USDA's new plan tackles H5N1 bird flu as an issue of economic concern, and leaves questions about how to manage the threat H5N1-infected cows pose to people.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday an additional $1 billion to help the nation’s poultry industry combat an accelerating outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza, which has devastated farmers and driven the price of eggs to record highs.
The infusion is part of a new strategy under the Trump administration that aims to boost financial relief to farmers whose flocks have been affected by the bird flu and aid in increasing biosecurity measures to prevent the spread from wild birds to domestic poultry operations. It also sets aside funds to develop vaccines and therapeutics for laying chickens.
