USDA Offers Loans for Biosecurity Measures Amid Avian Influenza Outbreak in Dairy Cows

Texas, United States United States of America
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in domestic livestock, specifically dairy cows.
The CDC is monitoring virus risk to humans from H5N1 avian flu cases in mammals including cattle herds across four states and a dairy worker in Texas who tested positive after working with cattle.
The USDA's Farm Service Agency offers direct and guaranteed loans to farmers and livestock producers for biosecurity measures such as installing physical barriers, purchasing disinfectant, footbaths, disposable footwear and clothing, veterinary costs related to vaccination and general animal health testing of feed and water sources for toxins or other disease.
USDA Offers Loans for Biosecurity Measures Amid Avian Influenza Outbreak in Dairy Cows

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in domestic livestock, specifically dairy cows. The USDA's Farm Service Agency offers direct and guaranteed loans to farmers and livestock producers for biosecurity measures such as installing physical barriers, purchasing disinfectant, footbaths, disposable footwear and clothing, veterinary costs related to vaccination and general animal health testing of feed and water sources for toxins or other disease. The USDA also provides resources available for producers including a Loan Assistance Tool that helps producers navigate the farm loan process with an interactive step-by-step guide, a Service Center Locator tool which assists farmers in finding their local USDA service center, and Farm Loans Overview Factsheet which provides information on all FSA direct and guaranteed loans. The CDC is monitoring virus risk to humans from H5N1 avian flu cases in mammals including cattle herds across four states and a dairy worker in Texas who tested positive after working with cattle.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if the loans are available to all farmers or only those who have been affected by the outbreak.
  • The article does not mention any specific measures that should be taken for biosecurity, it just lists some examples of what could be done.

Sources

83%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Growing concerns about bird flu cases in U.S. farm animals and risk to humans

PBS NewsHour Thursday, 04 April 2024 22:40
  • Unique Points
    • , The country's biggest egg producer halted productions when chickens at one of its facilities got sick.
    • A person in Texas tested positive after working with cattle. He had mild symptoms and is expected to recover.
  • Accuracy
    • The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been sickening bird flocks across America for a few years now. Millions have been killed to prevent further spread.
    • Hundreds of millions of birds have died and there has been frequent spillover to other species including mink, seals, foxes, skunks and even dogs and cats.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the risk to humans from this virus is low and there's no reason to worry at this point. However, later on in the article Dr Jennifer Nuzzo says that she worries about protecting farmworkers who are exposed to sick animals as they can get infected with H5N1 virus. This contradicts the earlier statement made by Dr Mandy Cohen of CDC and makes it seem like there is no risk at all when in fact, there is a concern for the safety of farmworkers. Secondly, while it mentions that two cases have been seen in humans who had direct contact with sick animals, it does not mention any deaths caused by this virus. This information would be important to know as it could change the perception of risk and urgency.
    • The article states that there is no reason to worry at this point when Dr Jennifer Nuzzo says she worries about protecting farmworkers who are exposed to sick animals.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (85%)
    The article discusses the growing concern about bird flu cases in U.S. farm animals and the risk to humans. The author mentions that this strain of bird flu, called H5N1, has been sickening bird flocks across America for a few years now and millions have been killed to prevent further spread. They also mention that the virus has also been infecting mammals, most recently dairy cows in five different states. The article then discusses a person in Texas who tested positive after working with cattle due to exposure to sick animals which can result in human infection.
    • The country's biggest egg producer halted productions when chickens at one of its facilities got sick.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    75%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    How dangerous is the bird flu outbreak? Here's what I'm telling my patients.

    USA Today Friday, 05 April 2024 00:00
    • Unique Points
      • Hundreds of millions of birds have died and there has been frequent spillover to other species including mink, seals, foxes, skunks and even dogs and cats.
      • The nation's largest supplier of eggs stopped production after birds at a plant in Texas tested positive for bird flu.
      • About 2 million chickens were slaughtered to prevent spread of the illness.
      • A person in Texas had contracted the flu but is displaying only mild symptoms.
      • Since 2005, the structure of the bird flu virus has not changed significantly which is good news as gain-of-function research conducted in Dr. Ron Fouchier's lab in 2011 revealed mutations needed for bird flu to pass from human to human have yet to occur.
      • Monitoring of the virus in nature has shown that those mutations have yet to occur and CDC Director Mandy Cohen told me that current spillover of bird flu to cattle has not shown any significant genetic changes.
      • Florida can now import prescription drugs from Canada which is great news for patients of Dr. Marc Siegel.
      • The patient in Texas also had mild symptoms including conjunctivitis and upper respiratory symptoms and was treated with Tamiflu quickly got better.
      • People in close contact with him were given Tamiflu as a precaution against further spread.
      • Dr. Cohen said there is potential for cattle to become the first mammals to become a reservoir of the bird flu virus but CDC is working closely with USDA to track cattle that have or have been exposed to illness.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (30%)
      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims to have tracked deadly and massive outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza for two decades when there are no references or evidence provided to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that a person in Texas had contracted bird flu but is displaying only mild symptoms which contradicts official statements from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who have not confirmed any cases of human transmission of H5N1 avian influenza. Thirdly, the author uses fear tactics to promote his own book by stating that experts are looking at worst-case scenarios which is misleading and exaggerated.
      • The author uses fear tactics to promote his own book by stating that experts are looking at worst-case scenarios which is misleading and exaggerated.
      • The author states that a person in Texas had contracted bird flu but is displaying only mild symptoms which contradicts official statements from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who have not confirmed any cases of human transmission of H5N1 avian influenza.
      • The author claims to have tracked deadly and massive outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza for two decades without providing any references or evidence.
    • Fallacies (75%)
      The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a source of information without providing any context or critical analysis of their findings. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either there is no risk of human pandemic or there is a significant risk. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric when it describes bird flu as
      • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a person in Texas had contracted the flu but is displaying only mild symptoms.
      • <br>Dr. Cohen told me that the current spillover of bird flu to cattle has not shown any significant genetic changes.
    • Bias (80%)
      The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who hold certain beliefs about the bird flu outbreak, implying that they are irrational or extreme. Additionally, the article mentions a company's decision to stop production due to financial concerns related to the outbreak, which could be seen as an example of monetary bias.
      • The nation's largest supplier of eggs stopped production after birds at a plant in Texas tested positive. About 2 million chickens were slaughtered to prevent spread of the illness.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      95%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock

      USDA APHIS Friday, 05 April 2024 14:45
      • Unique Points
        • . Confirmed Cases of HPAI in Domestic Livestock
        • . USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers direct and guaranteed loans to farmers and livestock producers for biosecurity measures
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State veterinary and public health officials are investigating an illness among dairy cows, without providing any evidence or sources to support this claim.
        • The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and State veterinary and public health officials are investigating an illness among dairy cows.
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      76%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Bird flu pandemic could be '100 times worse' than COVID, scientists warn

      New York Post Melissa Koenig Thursday, 04 April 2024 13:48
      • Unique Points
        • The virus has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020
        • H5N1 bird flu has now been detected in mammals, including cattle herds across four states and a dairy worker in Texas caught the virus on Monday
        • If avian A (H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large-scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defenses against H5 viruses in humans
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the H5N1 bird flu has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020 and affected wild birds in every state as well as commercial poultry and backyard flocks. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because the virus had been present for many years before 2020. Secondly, the article states that it has now even been detected in mammals, with cattle herds across four states becoming infected and a dairy worker in Texas catching the virus. This statement is also misleading because while H5N1 has affected some mammals, it is not considered to be a major concern for human health. Thirdly, the article quotes Dr Suresh Kuchipudi stating that this virus has already been detected in species throughout the world and shown the ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts including humans. However, this statement is also misleading because while H5N1 can affect some mammals, it does not have a high rate of transmission or mortality among them. Finally, the article quotes John Fulton stating that this virus appears to be 100 times worse than COVID if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate. However, this statement is also misleading because while H5N1 has a higher mortality rate compared to COVID-19 in humans, the likelihood of it mutating into a strain that can infect humans with such severity is not certain.
        • The article states that it has now even been detected in mammals, with cattle herds across four states becoming infected and a dairy worker in Texas catching the virus. This statement is also misleading because while H5N1 has affected some mammals, it is not considered to be a major concern for human health.
        • The article quotes John Fulton stating that this virus appears to be 100 times worse than COVID if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate. However, this statement is also misleading because while H5N1 has a higher mortality rate compared to COVID-19 in humans, the likelihood of it mutating into a strain that can infect humans with such severity is not certain.
        • The article states that the H5N1 bird flu has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020 and affected wild birds in every state as well as commercial poultry and backyard flocks. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because the virus had been present for many years before 2020.
        • The article quotes Dr Suresh Kuchipudi stating that this virus has already been detected in species throughout the world and shown the ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts including humans. However, this statement is also misleading because while H5N1 can affect some mammals, it does not have a high rate of transmission or mortality among them.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (85%)
        The author of the article is Melissa Koenig and she uses language that dehumanizes those who contract bird flu. She also quotes experts who use fear-mongering tactics to warn about a potential pandemic. The examples provided are direct quotations from the article that clearly demonstrate this bias.
        • But it has now even been detected in mammals, with cattle herds across four states becoming infected,
          • The H5N1 avian flu has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020, affecting wild birds in every state, as well as in commercial poultry and backyard flocks.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Melissa Koenig has a conflict of interest on the topic of H5N1 avian flu as she is reporting for The New York Post which is owned by News Corp. News Corp also owns Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel, both of which have been criticized for spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
            • Melissa Koenig reports on the potential impact of H5N1 avian flu on humans in her article titled 'Bird flu pandemic could be 100 times worse than COVID, scientists warn'. However, she does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships with News Corp which owns Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication