A group of senators recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins asking the agency to prioritize an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry that takes a science-based approach.
Since 2022, 184.03 million birds in 1,905 flocks, including more than 21.1 million turkeys, 141.1 million layers, and 1,083 dairy herds across the country have been impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The letter was signed by Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with 21 of their colleagues. As winter approaches, avian flu infections have started to rise again. The lawmakers emphasized the need for USDA to renew action to address the virus. Read more