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Federal Government Pledges Close to $200M to Stop Spread of Avian Flu

Dairy farmers will get financial support needed to test their cows, help reduce the spread of the virus, and ensure milk safety.

Dairy Cows Getty Images 1163959555
Getty Images

Federal agencies announced on Friday financial assistance for dairy farmers to cooperate with government efforts to limit the spread of the H5N1 virus among dairy cows. The indemnity program announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides up to $28,000 per farm to improve biosecurity, compensate for lost milk production, and protect against the potential spread of the virus between animals and humans.

After considerable effect on the agricultural poultry population, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was found in late March among dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, where unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle at three different dairy farms tested positive after primarily older dairy cows were found with decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms. Now, with cases among 42 herds in nine states (the list also includes Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Ohio), agriculture officials are struggling to stay ahead of the spread of the avian flu.


   Dairy Cows Found Infected With Avian Flu

To help those efforts, the USDA is providing financial aid to dairy farmers in several forms:

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