North Charlotte Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the recent outbreak of avian flu, Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have penned a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging for a coordinated and robust response from various government agencies.

The senators emphasized the importance of providing updated and accurate information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1, to the public and state agencies. They specifically highlighted concerns regarding the safety of the U.S. commercial milk or meat supply and the potential risks to farmworker health.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the spread of the virus to livestock, including goats and cattle, as well as a farmworker in Texas. The senators stressed the need for a collaborative federal response, increased surveillance, and additional resources for vaccine research.

In their letter, the senators expressed their readiness to work with Secretary Vilsack and department staff to contain and halt the outbreak, with a focus on minimizing the impact on rural America as the wild bird migration continues this spring.

The full letter can be accessed for further details on the senators' recommendations and concerns regarding the avian flu outbreak.