Impacts of H5N1

The H5N1 virus continues to impact the dairy industry and the poultry industry that it originated from. Both industries have different ways of dealing with the virus. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack acknowledges the differences in the ways that the virus affects each industry. “On the poultry side, we’re dealing with a virus that kills so it’s relatively simple. You depopulate the flock, disinfect, and the farmer gets back in business. For dairy, the cows get sick and recover.” Although the protocols are different for each industry, Vilsack ensures that the products of each are safe for consumers.