State ag directors press USDA for bird flu vaccine for cattle

USDA should immediately approve vaccinating dairy cattle to keep bird flu from becoming a chronic problem for the dairy industry, according to state agriculture officials. Groups representing state agriculture department and state veterinarians sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins asking her to let states try vaccinating cattle. A voluntary pilot program in willing states would allow USDA and the dairy industry to evaluate how well vaccines work, the letter states. Testing milk and cattle detects bird flu, and restricting interstate cattle movement hinders the spread, but the states need medical measures, too, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney said. “That’s why we are asking USDA to approve vaccines as an additional tool to help prevent and reduce the spread of (avian influenza) in livestock,” he said in a statement. Bird flu has infected 1,230 dairy herds in 22 states since the outbreak began in March 2024.

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