STAT+: Washington kicks into gear on H5N1

You’re reading the web edition of D.C. Diagnosis, STAT’s twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine. Sign up here to receive it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Why did the dairy cow cross state lines?

After weeks of concern that the U.S. Department of Agriculture wasn’t doing enough to quell the spread of H5N1 bird flu, the agency announced Wednesday that it’s going to require testing for dairy cattle crossing state lines, my colleague Helen Branswell reports.

Labs and veterinarians will also be required to report H5N1 cases. The move is a step toward more mandatory measures, as officials confirmed that they have faced some resistance from farmers in their efforts to test cattle and farm workers.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

Read Original Article: STAT+: Washington kicks into gear on H5N1 »