Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including its agencies CDC, FDA, NIH, and ASPR, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is focused on maintaining community health and safety in response to the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assesses that the risk to the general public remains low. However, farmworkers in close contact with infected animals are at a higher risk.
In response, the Administration has taken several actions to enhance farmworker safety and provide clear information for workers and employers. More details on these efforts can be found on the FDA, CDC, and USDA’s H5N1 update pages.
Farmworkers or others exposed to infected animals who feel sick or need personal protective equipment (PPE) should contact their state health department for assistance. The U.S. Government's measures include:
**Protecting Farmworkers and the Public**
**PPE Assistance:** The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is providing PPE through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). States can request face shields, masks, gloves, and goggles from SNS as needed. ASPR will also supply oseltamivir (Tamiflu) upon request to jurisdictions without their own stockpiles for treating symptomatic individuals exposed to infected animals. To date, ASPR has collaborated with six states to ensure farmworker safety. Additionally, USDA offers financial support for producers supplying PPE or laundering outerwear uniforms.
**Genomic Analysis:** CDC continues analyzing HPAI (H5N1) virus isolates to identify genetic changes that could facilitate human transmission or affect antiviral susceptibility.
**Safety Guidance:** Updated guidance from CDC and USDA advises dairy farm and slaughterhouse workers on self-protection measures. State health departments are encouraged to have plans for testing and treating workers during an outbreak among livestock. A Federal Order mandates testing before interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle and restricts movement from affected herds for 30 days.
**Treatment:** CDC has posted recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis with oseltamivir.
**Educating Workers on Avian Flu:** Regular briefings by USDA and HHS’s Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs keep food system workers informed about developments. Information resources are available in multiple languages. ASPR, CDC, and USDA communicate regularly with state agriculture officials about these resources. Targeted social media campaigns aim to reach poultry farmers with messages about their heightened risk.
**Monitoring Disease Transmission**
**Health Surveillance:** An additional $93 million has been allocated by CDC for investments in epidemiology, surveillance data analytics; wastewater genomic surveillance; testing capacity; vaccine activities; and partner efforts targeting high-risk populations.
**Exposure Monitoring:** CDC collaborates with state health authorities to monitor exposed individuals' health status through community alerts or direct daily contact in some states like Michigan.
