USDA/HHS Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Takes New Action to Halt the Spread of Bird Flu, including in California and Washington

Since the first case of H5N1 was confirmed in cattle, USDA and HHS have led a whole-of-government approach to rapidly respond to the outbreak. In response to the recent spread of H5N1 in lactating dairy cows to California and the resulting human cases and the human cases in Washington resulting from an outbreak among poultry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are working closely with the state and local counterparts to respond to the outbreak and protect public health. While CDC’s assessment of the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, USDA and HHS continue to take this outbreak seriously to protect human health, animal health, and food safety.

California Response

Animal Health 
As of October 24, 2024, a total of 137 California dairy herds have tested positive for H5N1 since the initial detection in late August. USDA is collaborating with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to support ongoing epidemiological investigations, increased surveillance and enhanced biosecurity. USDA has deployed the following teams to assist California's efforts:

• Epi Strike Team: Five USDA staff members are on the ground to aid in traceback efforts and epidemiological investigations.
• Case Management Team: Nine case managers are supporting the state’s efforts in tracking and managing infected herds.

USDA is also working with California animal health officials to support diagnosing and treating, particularly in regions like the Central Valley, where earlier excessive heat added stress to already affected animals. The USDA continues to emphasize the importance of producers working with their veterinarians to reduce the impact of H5N1 on dairy cattle, which generally recover with low mortality rates, especially with proper supportive care and particularly during times of excessive heat.
 
California producers have access to five programs designed by USDA specifically to respond to this outbreak. USDA has transferred $824 million to fund these programs that help provide financial assistance to farmers to meet the biosecurity standards that are required to protect against continued spread of the disease and compensate farmers for lost milk production if they are impacted.  

For both affected and unaffected producers USDA is providing support and financial assistance for:

• Vet fees and shipping costs associated with testing herds
• Planning and putting in place enhanced biosecurity measures
• PPE to keep workers safe 

For affected producers specifically, USDA will provide financial assistance for: 
Milk loss from eligible cows (under the ELAP program)

• Worker uniform laundering
• Purchase of additional PPE when working with the CDC in an epidemiological study

Producers and other interested parties can learn more about these programs at USDA’s HPAI Detections in Livestock page or contact their local Farm Service Agency county office. USDA has staff in nearly every county in the country. nearly every county in the country.

Human Health
Even before this outbreak HHS was working with California to prepare for a potential outbreak. HHS’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has fulfilled PPE requests from California since May, 2024. To date, ASPR has sent 65,120 goggles and 2,201,000 gloves from the Strategic National Stockpile. ASPR continues to standby to meet additional needs. 

To support California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in responding to human cases, CDC deployed a multilingual epidemiological field team to assist with the investigation of H5N1 infections in both dairy cows and farm workers who may have been exposed to infected cattle. CDC's efforts include:

• Conducting field assessments of suspected cases and their household contacts.
• Supporting active surveillance, testing, and treatment.
• Disseminating information to farm workers and the broader community, including Spanish-language educational videos about H5N1.

Over the summer, CDC announced a $5 million program to increase awareness and testing among farm workers and promote seasonal flu vaccine among farm workers that can help protect against the intermingling of the virus. CDC is collaborating with California to ensure that these resources reach impacted areas. 

In collaboration with California, CDC is also promoting seasonal flu vaccination to protect farm workers, supplementing the state’s supply with additional doses and providing funding for vaccine administration.

Washington Response

Animal Health 
Working closely with Washington State animal health officials, USDA is providing technical support and resources to help on-the-ground response efforts, following established processes for detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry. Depopulation of the flock is complete and surveillance in the area has detected no additional affected poultry flocks. While the epidemiological investigation is ongoing, USDA will continue to work closely with state partners to support disease response. 

Human Health
CDC is deploying a team to Washington to support its response efforts at a commercial egg farm in the state. The agency is awaiting specimens from Washington for confirmatory avian flu testing and will then assess further action.

National Response

USDA and HHS continue to work swiftly to respond to infections across the country. Below are updates on a few of these efforts:

Bovine Vaccine Trials
USDA has approved two vaccine field safety trials for vaccine candidates designed to protect dairy cows from H5N1. These safety trials involve non-viable, non-replicating vaccines that do not cause virus shedding or transmission to humans, other animals, or the environment. USDA anticipates additional submissions and approvals for field trials as manufacturers pursue vaccine development.

Protecting the Commercial Milk Supply 
According to the USDA and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the commercial milk supply remains safe. The pasteurization process effectively kills the H5N1 virus along with other disease-causing germs in milk products. However, the FDA continues to study the risk of H5N1 transmission through the consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and milk products, and it continues to emphasize the longstanding recommendations regarding the consumption of such products.

Researchers across the federal and state governments have been working to understand the prevalence of H5N1 in the U.S. milk supply. On Oct. 3, states were invited to participate in a new study (the “silo study”) that will generate data to aid in the understanding of H5N1 in raw cow’s milk received by dairy processing facilities across the nation. 

This silo study will inform and further enhance collective efforts that state and federal agencies and industry are engaged in to help inform the national strategy to control the spread of the virus, identify any viral transformations, and help ensure safety of the milk supply.  

State participation in the silo study is voluntary, but it is hoped that states will want to contribute to this important project. The FDA, National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), and USDA will review the results of the silo study and are committed to providing study results in the near future.