Veterinary Medicine

The report echoes calls by other scientists to ramp up the surveillance of felines, which are susceptible to the virus and have a high mortality rate. The AVMA says several cases in cats linked to poultry or wild bird exposure had been reported before the outbreak began in dairy cows last spring.

Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.

The CR includes nearly $110 billion in disaster and farmer aid, which includes $10 billion in farmer aid and $21 billion ag disaster aid. $2 billion of that disaster aid is specifically for livestock producers. The measure also includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.

USDA announced on Oct. 30 the first reported case of H5N1 in a pig in an Oregon backyard farm.