U.S. Bird Flu Cases Surge: Where HPAI is Striking Poultry Across the Nation in 2025
The battle against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) rages on in the U.S., as the virus continues to spread and affect poultry in multiple states. Since the outbreak began in 2022, over 166.2 million birds have been impacted, with cases reported in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Although the frequency of outbreaks slowed significantly through most of 2024, the start of 2025 has seen a troubling rise in cases, with 110 new infections confirmed across 27 states in the past 30 days alone.
Mass Veterinary Layoffs at USDA and FDA Jeopardize Animal Health and Food Safety
The Trump administration’s sweeping federal layoffs have crippled key agencies responsible for tracking animal diseases, regulating veterinary drugs, and ensuring food safety. Among the hardest-hit programs are the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) at the USDA and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the FDA, both essential to public and animal health.
Federal Workforce Shakeup Halted Temporarily: Judge Blocks Plan to Downsize Thousands of Government Jobs
In a dramatic turn of events, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a controversial plan to offer financial incentives to federal workers, signaling a major setback for the government's initiative to downsize its workforce. This move, intended to reduce the number of government employees, came under fire from labor unions and sparked widespread concern among public service workers who felt the plan threatened their job security and rights.
USDA Awards $1.2 Million to Tribes for Animal Disease Preparedness: What It Means for Livestock and Biosecurity!
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has awarded $380,000 to Tribal partners for new projects under the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), bringing total funding for Tribal-related projects to $1.2 million. These initiatives aim to improve biosecurity, animal disease response plans, traceability, and education, strengthening both Tribal and national animal disease preparedness.
USDA Invests $17.6 Million in Groundbreaking Research to Protect Animal Health and Strengthen the Food Supply!
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $17.6 million for 37 high-priority research projects to improve animal health and welfare. Key projects focus on mitigating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF), as well as addressing climate change's impact on agriculture. This investment, part of USDA’s "One Health" initiative, underscores the importance of protecting livestock to ensure a safe, sustainable, and resilient food system.
USDA Takes Action to Safeguard Livestock and Poultry Health Amid H5N1 Outbreak
The USDA commits $824 million in emergency funding to combat H5N1 in livestock, introducing a new Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program to enhance monitoring and disease control.