As of June 24, only 18 dairy farms with infected HPAI cattle have applied for USDA funds to help fight the bird flu outbreak. There is $28,000 available over three months for farms with outbreaks. This money can be used for protective equipment for workers, veterinary costs, and heat treatment of discarded milk. There is also $3,500 available to other producers to enhance biosecurity practices and test cows in their herds for the virus.

Michigan has been one of the hardest-hit states and 11 farms have signed up for the available funds. There are also three herds in Iowa, two in Colorado and one in Wyoming who have signed up for the financial aid.

So far, there have been bird flu outbreaks in 112 herds in 12 states. This is a very small percentage of the 24,000 U.S. dairy herds that were recorded in the latest Census of Agriculture.

Read more about USDA funds available to fight the bird flu outbreak here.