Texas A&M secures US$3M CDC grant to tackle avian flu risks among dairy workers

USA – The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a US$3 million, one-year grant to Texas A&M University’s School of Public Health to address the rising threat of avian influenza among agricultural workers. 

The one-year initiative will investigate exposure to the H5N1 virus among dairy farm workers in Texas, a frontline population with heightened risk of infection.

The project is led by Dr. David Douphrate, a professor with over 20 years of experience in agricultural health and safety, who described the effort as both timely and essential. 

“We are uniquely positioned to address agricultural health and safety issues, especially given our long track record of working within the dairy industry,” he said.

Although H5N1 remains rare in humans, its detection in cattle has raised alarm among public health experts, prompting calls for closer monitoring of those in direct contact with livestock. 

“There is very little information about how many people have been affected by H5N1 and who they are,” said Dr. Jason Moats, an emergency preparedness specialist and member of the research team. 

“Our goals are to first identify the scope of exposure and how many people have been exposed and, more importantly, to understand the workplace factors involved so we can reduce transmission.”

Partnerships to propel the research 

To accomplish this, the Texas A&M team has partnered with researchers from New Mexico State University and the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, assembling a multidisciplinary group of epidemiologists, veterinarians, industrial hygienists, and statisticians. 

The researchers are employing what they call “shoe leather epidemiology,” an on-the-ground approach that involves direct outreach to affected communities.

“We have longstanding relationships with dairy farmers, and they know they can trust us even in the most sensitive situations, for farmers and workers who do not want the publicity associated with avian flu,” explained Dr. Rebecca Fischer, an infectious disease epidemiologist on the team. 

The study process begins with Douphrate meeting with dairy owners to secure access to the farms. Bilingual researchers then meet with farm workers to explain the project and obtain informed consent. Participants complete a health questionnaire and provide blood, nasal, and eye swabs. 

The biological samples are sent to laboratories for analysis. Blood tests detect antibodies indicating past exposure, while swabs identify current infections.

If an active case is discovered, the research team ensures the individual receives appropriate medical care through local providers. All participation is anonymous, a deliberate measure to reduce fear and ensure accuracy.

“Our research is completely anonymous; we don’t collect names or birthdates,” Fischer noted. “That takes the fear out of being tested and helps ensure that our data is accurate and complete.”

The integrated data will help identify not only the presence of the virus, but also how it spreads, information that can inform targeted safety practices on farms. 

Summarised findings are shared with farm owners, who are then supported in implementing appropriate biosecurity measures.

Douphrate emphasised the broader stakes of the project. “Our nation’s ability to produce healthy foods is dependent on a healthy agricultural workforce,” he said. 

Federal government boosts national avian flu preparedness

In a separate move earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a US$306 million funding package to strengthen national readiness for H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks. 

The investment spans several agencies and programs, including disease surveillance, diagnostic testing, and local preparedness.

“While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a January 6 statement. “These investments are critical to continuing our disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and monitoring efforts.”

Of the total, approximately US$111 million is allocated to the CDC to enhance monitoring of high-risk populations, such as livestock workers, and expand test kit production. 

The remaining funds support hospital readiness, special pathogen response centres, and further research into medical countermeasures through the National Institutes of Health.

Together with targeted research efforts like the Texas A&M initiative, these federal investments reflect a growing urgency to stay ahead of emerging zoonotic threats that could jeopardise public health and national food security.

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