The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $101 million and $98 million, respectively, on bird flu biosecurity measures to reduce the spread of the virus.Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza or H5N1, is deadliest among birds but can infect all mammals including humans, though human cases are rare. There have only been two documented human cases in the U.S.
A release from HHS said the CDC and the FDA will increase"laboratory screening and testing capacity, genomic sequencing, and other interventions to protect the health and safety of dairy and other potentially impacted food items." It also said the USDA is aiming to make"financial tools" available for milk producers whose herds have been affected by H5N1.
The Food and Drug Administration says commercial milk is still safe because it's pasteurized. Raw milk is not safe, however, because it hasn't been heat-treated. The USDA also says its testing of grocery store beef has been negative for the virus. For food safety, cooking chicken and eggs to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and beef to 145 degrees Fahrenheit will kill pathogens.