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California officials describe integrated response, lab surge and federal funding to fight H5N1 outbreak
Summary
State and federal officials told a joint California Senate hearing that California has activated an integrated animal- and human-health response to H5N1, expanding testing and laboratory capacity, distributing PPE, and coordinating with USDA on federal funding and vaccine research.
California officials told a joint Senate Health and Agriculture committee hearing that state and federal agencies have activated an integrated response, expanded testing and laboratory capacity, and secured federal funds to address the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak.
The testimony put a spotlight on three immediate priorities: strengthen farm-level biosecurity, scale and certify diagnostic testing, and support research into vaccines and therapeutics. "We have the expertise here," California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross said, describing longstanding interagency relationships with state public health and federal partners. Ross highlighted partnerships with the UC Davis veterinary lab network and the use of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network to handle surges in samples.
Why it matters: witnesses said H5N1 has already disrupted poultry and dairy production and threatened food supply chains. Officials argued the…
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