A new strain of bird flu, H5N1 avian influenza virus, has infected over 90 million chickens and affected dairy cows in the US.
Dairy farms must agree to participate in enhanced epidemiological surveys and other public health measures to qualify for compensation.
Raw milk sales have increased by 65% compared to the same period last year despite warnings about bird flu in cow herds.
The Biden administration announced programs to aid farmers and mitigate the outbreak among dairy cattle.
The USDA will provide financial assistance for losses due to disease, animal attacks, extreme weather, and biosecurity measures.
A new strain of bird flu, known as H5N1 avian influenza virus, has been spreading rapidly among chicken populations and has also affected dairy cows in the US. The virus was first reported in late December 2023 and has since infected over 90 million chickens. Cases of low milk production due to infection in dairy cows were reported as early as late January and early February 2024, particularly in the Texas panhandle. The Biden administration announced new programs on May 10, 2024, to incentivize dairy farmers and workers to collaborate with public health efforts to investigate and mitigate the outbreak among dairy cattle.
Farms are hesitant to be identified as H5N1 hotspots due to fear of losing milk or beef sales. The industry has already suffered a significant financial blow, with affected dairies taking up to a 20% hit to their income. To qualify for compensation, dairy farms must agree to participate in enhanced epidemiological surveys and other public health measures.
The USDA will provide financial assistance to livestock farmers who have suffered losses due to disease, animal attacks, and extreme weather. These same funds will be used to compensate dairy farmers whose cows are infected or need to be taken out of milk production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will also provide up to $28,000 per farm for biosecurity measures such as heat treatment of contaminated milk before disposal, veterinarian costs, shipment of specimen, lab testing, personal protective equipment, and uniform laundering.
Despite warnings from US government agencies about bird flu in cow herds, raw milk sales have increased by 65% compared to the same period last year. Raw milk contamination has been a leading cause of life-threatening illnesses for centuries. Pasteurization has been making the world's milk supply dramatically safer since the late 1800s.
Raw milk sales have increased by 65% compared to the same period last year despite warnings from US government agencies about bird flu in cow herds.
Many health experts breathed a sigh of relief when studies showed H5N1 virus is killed in milk that’s been pasteurized.
Raw milk farm owner quoted saying ‘Anything that the FDA tells our customers to do, they do the opposite.’
Pasteurization has been making the world’s milk supply dramatically safer since the late 1800s.
Raw milk contamination has been a leading cause of life-threatening illnesses for centuries.
Accuracy
Raw milk, which hasn’t been pasteurized, has always enjoyed renegade popularity among certain corners of the US population.
Deception
(30%)
The author makes editorializing statements and uses emotional manipulation by stating 'Raw milk has never been safe, but it might be especially risky right now.' This statement goes beyond reporting the facts and implies that consuming raw milk is inherently dangerous. The author also engages in selective reporting by focusing on the risks of raw milk without mentioning its potential benefits or providing a balanced perspective.
It's also an opportunity to better understand why people make certain choices even – or especially – when public health experts recommend against them.
Raw milk has never been safe, but it might be especially risky right now
Fallacies
(90%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when she states 'Many health experts breathed a sigh of relief when studies showed the virus is killed in milk that’s been pasteurized'. This statement implies that the studies conducted by these experts are reliable and trustworthy sources. However, it would be more logical for the author to provide evidence or data from these studies directly instead of relying on the authority of 'many health experts'. Additionally, there is a use of inflammatory rhetoric when the author states 'Raw milk has never been safe, but it might be especially risky right now'. This statement is an overgeneralization and creates fear without providing concrete evidence.
]Many health experts breathed a sigh of relief when studies showed the virus is killed in milk that’s been pasteurized[
Raw milk has never been safe, but it might be especially risky right now
Bias
(80%)
The author expresses a clear bias against the consumption of raw milk and those who choose to do so despite health warnings. She uses language that depicts those who drink raw milk as renegades or extremists, and implies that they are putting themselves at unnecessary risk.
It’s also an opportunity to better understand why people make certain choices even – or especially – when public health experts recommend against them.
Many health experts breathed a sigh of relief when studies showed the virus is killed in milk that’s been pasteurized – that is, heated to kill invisible microbial pathogens.
Raw milk has never been safe, but it might be especially risky right now
The H5N1 avian influenza virus outbreak in U.S. cattle was first reported in late March 2024.
It is believed that the outbreak started in late December 2023.
Cases of low milk production due to infection were reported in dairy cows in the Texas panhandle as early as late January and early February 2024.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
No formal fallacies found. Some informal fallacies present in the form of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases like 'dizzying array' to evoke a sense of fear and confusion, and quotes Mia Kim Torchetti expressing her loss of hope, which can manipulate readers' emotions. Additionally, the author references previous pandemics (COVID-19) for comparison purposes.
]A flurry of reports about the genetics of the bird flu currently infecting U.S. cattle are offering insight into how the virus has and continues to spread.[/quote]
The Biden administration announced new programs on May 10 to incentivize dairy farmers and workers to collaborate with public health efforts to investigate and mitigate the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among dairy cattle.
Farms don’t want to be identified as H5N1 hotspots for fear that they might end up with milk or beef they can’t sell, and the industry has already suffered a financial blow with affected dairies taking as much as a 20% hit to their income.
The USDA already provides financial assistance to livestock, farmed fish, and honey bee farmers who have suffered losses due to disease, animal attacks, and extreme weather. These same funds will be used to compensate dairy farmers whose cows are infected or need to be taken out of milk production.
To qualify for such compensation, dairy farms will have to agree to participate in enhanced epidemiological surveys and other public health measures.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will also provide up to $28,000 per farm to support various biosecurity measures, including heat treatment of contaminated milk before disposal, veterinarian costs, shipment of specimen, lab testing, personal protective equipment, and uniform laundering.
It’s unclear how the USDA will calculate compensation for lost milk revenue. Dairy farms vary tremendously in size, from under 100 cows to more than 15,000.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses concern for the potential economic impact on the dairy industry due to H5N1 avian flu outbreak and advocates for collaboration between public health officials and farmers. However, she also highlights the exploitative working conditions in the dairy industry and lack of protections for workers, which could hinder public health efforts. While not overtly biased against any particular group or ideology, this perspective may be perceived as critical of the farming industry and its treatment of workers.
Farms don’t want to be identified as H5N1 hotspots for fear that they might end up with milk or beef they can’t sell.
It’s unclear how the USDA will calculate compensation for lost milk revenue.
The industry has already suffered a financial blow with affected dairies taking as much as a 20% hit to their income, and U.S. cattle prices are dropping as traders fear the outbreak could hurt demand.
