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Vermont veterinarians urge stepped-up H5N1 surveillance, highlight workforce and grant needs
Summary
Dr. Karen Bradley of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association told the House Agriculture Committee on Feb. 11 that increased testing and coordination are needed to guard against H5N1 spread to animals and humans, and she thanked lawmakers for a recent xylazine law and urged support for a food-animal veterinary loan repayment grant.
Dr. Karen Bradley, a Berlin-based veterinarian speaking on behalf of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association, told the House Agriculture Committee on Feb. 11 that the state needs more frequent, coordinated surveillance for H5N1 avian influenza and clearer testing of agricultural products to reduce risk to animals and people.
Bradley told the committee she appreciated passage of S.58 last year to limit non‑veterinary possession of xylazine and said the association supports federal scheduling that would protect legitimate veterinary use while criminalizing illicit possession. She also urged continued or increased funding for the Vermont Food Animal Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Grant, a state program that currently provides about $30,000 per year divided among recipients who agree to work in shortage areas.
The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) represents roughly 385 licensed veterinarians in the…
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