United States: The US will restock bird flu vaccines for poultry corresponding to the type of the virus currently spreading among domestic poultry and wild birds, the Department of Agriculture stated on Wednesday.
Widespread Impact
The bird flu that started at poultry at the beginning of this year has affected over 130 million commercial, backyard, and wild birds in all states across the United States of America, as reported by Reuters.
Bird flu also affects dairy cattle and has affected nearly 70 people, of which a majority were farm workers who came in contact with infected birds or cattle.
The USA, too, developed a poultry vaccine reserve for the previous severe bird flu outbreak in 2014 and 2015, though these vaccines were never employed, the agency added in its press release.
Lessons from Past Outbreaks
“Due to the introduction of new HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) strains, namely D1.1 from wild birds, and persistent outbreaks among commercial poultry farms, USDA believes it is prudent to again pursue a stockpile that matches current outbreak strains,” the release said.
Egg and turkey farm groups have urged the use of vaccines, given the losses that producers incur when they have to dispose of their stock.
🚨 The US is rebuilding its bird flu vaccine stockpile as the virus claims over 130 million birds nationwide & drives egg prices to record highs. A first human death has also been reported. #BirdFlu #USDA #PublicHealth pic.twitter.com/iJI3OspVly
— DeskTrading | Market Pulse (@desktrading) January 8, 2025
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has noted that such deployment is not feasible in the short run owing to trade implications. The vaccination is sometimes met with controversy because numerous countries themselves prohibit the import of vaccinated poultry because the vaccine may overshadow the infections.
Monitoring Dairy Herds for Bird Flu
The USDA also said that 28 states joined the nationwide bulk milk testing program to identify bird flu in dairy herds, and up to now, the testing has not identified newly infected herds that exist in states that were initially free from the virus, as reported by Reuters.
Bird flu has been detected in dead birds found in the Austin area earlier this month, says Austin Public Health. https://t.co/CqUnXPWdBa
— FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) January 8, 2025
USDA data shows that infected herds have been recorded in Texas and California during the last 30 days.