The US Department of Agriculture shared a release from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in June 2024, in which the importance of “good biosecurity” was highlighted as a “critically important path” to containing H5N1. H5N1 avian influenza is “widespread” in wild birds globally but has been causing outbreaks in US dairy cows and sporadic human cases. The CDC describes the current public health risk as “low”, but this relies on effective disease control within the country.
The threat of H5N1
Secretary Vilsack states that the first reported case in dairy cattle was identified in the Texas panhandle region and was followed by further outbreaks in 115 dairy herds across 12 states. He suggests that the virus has been “at the top of the list” of global pandemic risk “for years” and that “it is a disease that our scientists understand well”. However, he acknowledges that H5N1 “behaves very differently in cattle”, demanding different recommendations.
Curbing the spread
One of the actions that USDA has taken to control the spread of disease was to issue a Federal Order directing dairy farmers to test lactating cows before transport across state lines. This has led to more testing of cows, which means the number of herds identified as infected increases.
“This is what USDA expected and is an indication that the system is working as designed.”
After further investigation, it became clear that the virus “concentrates in the udder of sick cows and in the cow’s milk”. Furthermore, the disease can spread through “normal business operations” such as movement of people, vehicles, and equipment.
“These findings indicate that improved biosecurity is the key to limiting the spread of H5N1 to keep animals, workers, and farm operations safe.”
Enhanced biosecurity
“Biosecurity is a set of practices that can help to limit or prevent the spread of virus or disease among animals, as well as people, plants, and more.”
In the current context, USDA suggests that enhanced biosecurity could include:
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting parlours, equipment, clothing, and vehicles
- Separating sick cows and limiting movement of cattle
- Wearing and disinfecting personal protective equipment
- Limiting traffic onto the farm
Secretary Vilsack also outlines ways the USDA can support producers:
- Help producers pay for enhanced biosecurity plans
- Free H5N1 testing for dairy cattle
- Free shipping of test samples to the lab
- Free veterinary costs
- Free personal protective equipment
If producers identify H5N1 in their herd, USDA will offer a compensation programme through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Programme (ELAP). This was confirmed on 27th June with applications being accepted from Monday 1st July.
Alongside these efforts, Secretary Vilsack highlighted collaboration with federal partners at CDC and FDA “in the interest of protecting the health of farmworkers and farmers and reaffirming the safety of the food supply”.
“We are taking animal health and human health concerns seriously through a whole-of-government response.”
Secretary Vilsack recognised that an “important tool” in eliminating the virus from US dairy herds would be a cattle-specific H5N1. Therefore, USDA scientists and partners are working through the process of development, which “requires many steps and will take time”. His key message was to highlight the importance of biosecurity; he called on producers to “use our resources” and opt in to support programmes.
“Farmers are going to lead the charge, but they won’t need to do it alone. USDA is here to support them every day and we will continue to do all we can to protect animal and human health. I am confident that with the right tools and the hardworking spirit of America’s farmers and farmworkers, together we can get it done.”
To learn more about the opportunities and challenges of vaccinating livestock against avian influenza, join us for a panel in the One Health and Veterinary track at the Congress in Barcelona this October, and don’t forget to subscribe for more animal health insights.
