High path avian flu is still a concern despite the drop in cases.
One of the biggest issues now is the safety of farm workers who have tested positive on both dairy and poultry farms.
According to Washington state veterinarian, Dr. Amber Itle, “CDC says the risk is low for the general public, moderate to farmworkers, and mostly what we’re seeing is conjunctivitis. So, the most important things we can do is provide PPE that doesn’t just protect the farmworker, but is comfortable so they wear it right. So you know, right now, we need folks to wear eye protection and masks.”
With virus activity slowing, experts say that now is the time for farmers to take stock of what they need to protect their workers.
Keeping a supply of protective gear on hand is considered a best practice.
“You don’t have to have enough to last you a month, but you have to have enough to last you a few days until you can, you know, know what you need. I would encourage producers in that space to make sure you’re prepared. What we do know is that the virus, you know, right now, like I said, doesn’t have a huge human health implication— pretty low risk— but, what we don’t want is to have an opportunity for people to get infected or have an opportunity for the virus to reassert in a way that it does become a human health crisis, so that there is human-to-human transmission. They’re not yet, and let’s keep it that way.”
She added that states cannot respond for proper containment until farmers take steps to ensure worker safety.
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
January 27, 2026 11:51 AM
·
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
January 22, 2026 06:00 PM
·
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
January 19, 2026 03:00 PM
·
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
January 19, 2026 01:00 PM
·
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
·
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
January 17, 2026 02:00 PM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
