Rural Finance Authority declares emergency due to animal disease outbreaks
"The RFA Board's declaration is an important step in helping Minnesota farmers affected by these three animal health diseases," said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. "I encourage those who have faced livestock losses to explore these zero-interest loans."
aMPV is a highly infectious respiratory disease affecting poultry. It causes significant immunosuppression in birds which leads to secondary infections and often high mortality. Minnesota has reported 871 aMPV positive tests since April 2024, which is likely an undercount of actual cases across the state. The disease is a burden to producers who lose birds and have no means of financial support like they do with HPAI and other diseases.
HPAI is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild birds and is fatal. It's a major threat to the poultry industry, animal health, trade, and the economy worldwide. The first cases of the current HPAI outbreak in Minnesota were confirmed in March 2022. Since then, there have been 185 cases affecting 9.1 million Minnesota domestic birds, mostly turkeys. There have been four HPAI cases reported in 2025.
H5N1, the same virus that causes HPAI in poultry, can also affect dairy cows and other animals; however, it rarely kills cows. The H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle appeared in a Texas dairy in March 2024. The first Minnesota case appeared in June 2024. No cases have been reported in 2025.
More information, including full eligibility requirements, can be found on the Disaster Recovery Loan Program webpage.
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Time Magazine
2 days ago
- Time Magazine
Cutting mRNA Research Could Be Our Deadliest Mistake Yet
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced it will wind down funding for mRNA vaccine development—which could prove to be one of the costliest, deadliest decisions HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will make during his tenure. HHS has already scaled back access to and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines—a decision experts are deeply concerned about—and Kennedy's frequently misinformed views on vaccines continue to fan the flames of anti-vaccination attitudes. Now, Kennedy's failure to fully explore the potential of mRNA vaccines could stagnate research that has the potential to save millions of lives around the world. The dark cloud of COVID-19, one of the deadliest infectious disease outbreaks in history, can hardly be thought of as having a silver lining. But the nearest thing to a glimmer of a positive would be that the fast development of COVID-19 vaccines helped prevent many more deaths and led to rapid progress in our understanding and use of mRNA technology. This greater understanding is now being explored as potential preventions or therapies for a wide range of diseases, from H5N1 bird flu and HIV to cancer. Terminating 22 mRNA projects will not only directly set back research on mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases including flu; it will also arguably have negative knock-on effects for researchers the world over exploring personalized treatments for noncommunicable diseases like cancer. Early research on some novel uses of mRNA is promising. For example, a preliminary trial of an mRNA HIV vaccine found that 80% of participants generated neutralizing antibodies, which in theory could help block HIV—pending further research and development. A melanoma mRNA vaccine, when combined with existing treatment, reduced the risk of death or disease recurrence by nearly 50%. (The vaccine is currently being tested further in a full scale Phase 3 clinical trial). Even more amazingly, personalized vaccines—where vaccines are created specifically for an individual using information from their cancer to optimize their immune response—using mRNA technology have even been proposed as a universal vaccine adaptable for all cancers. Read More: The CDC Shooting is a Dark Sign for Science and America Much of the research on personalized mRNA cancer vaccines is in some way indebted to gains in knowledge made from COVID-19 research, and it stands to reason that pulling such a large amount of funding from mRNA projects will slow down further progress in these areas. Approximately $500 million worth of research funding would almost certainly have advanced the scientific community's fundamental understanding of how, and to what extent, mRNA technology works and how it could be applied to prevent and fight disease. Also problematic is the manner in which HHS under Kennedy conveys their decisions. In announcing the funding withdrawal, HHS states it 'will focus on platforms with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices.' This implies that mRNA vaccines have not been properly or transparently tested—which is not true. The safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines has been demonstrated in numerous studies and systematic evidence reviews. Like pretty much all vaccines and treatments, mRNA vaccines are not without side effects, but evidence shows that any adverse events are nearly always mild and short-lived. COVID-19 vaccines have already saved millions of lives globally, with mRNA vaccines accounting for a significant majority of all doses administered in many countries. Kennedy's claim that 'mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits' is almost farcical in light of scientific evidence. Moreover, the whole purpose of clinical research is to test whether new scientific innovations—like novel applications of mRNA into different diseases—are safe and effective in the first place. Kennedy has long spoken of how we need more evidence and testing on mRNA vaccines, and so it is painfully ironic that he is pulling funding for research which would enable the scientific community to do just that. Read More: An mRNA Melanoma Vaccine Shows Promise Perhaps most concerning is the caliber of evidence upon which decisions with such massive implications are being made. In an HHS announcement of the termination of mRNA projects, Kennedy claims 'the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.' The truth is, initial vaccines and booster doses have been shown to be very effective against reducing infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Kennedy does not even provide links or citations to systematic reviews or meta-analyses in reputable journals, the gold standard methods for scientific evidence. Rather, he simply links to an online evidence review which cherry picks studies searching only for the harms—and not the overall safety, effectiveness, or cost-benefit analysis—of the mRNA vaccines. The report does not describe the methods used to select and review studies, nor does it appear itself to have been peer-reviewed by other scientists. It almost certainly wouldn't be publishable in a scientific journal, yet it is being used as evidence to justify the fate of half a billion dollars of research funds. This is another example of how fringe viewpoints on mRNA technology, instead of the best available scientific evidence, are under Kennedy and HHS becoming the new mainstream. The U.S. has been at the forefront of developing mRNA technology for the past few decades, from the Nobel Prize-winning research of professors Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania on mRNA, to the key role of U.S.-based pharmaceutical companies in vaccine production and rollout. Perhaps other countries, companies, and funding sources will offset this funding loss and lead the development of mRNA vaccine innovations. Large investments are already being made in the U.K. and China, for example. That would be to the detriment of U.S. scientific innovation and progress. Kennedy is right to scrutinize the potential overreach of the pharmaceutical industry, and to ensure their research and development is ethical and transparent. However, his seemingly personal war against "Big Pharma" and ideological opposition to mRNA risks stunting research that could one day help prevent the next pandemic or even provide cures for hitherto incurable cancers.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Newsweek
Trump's Ex-Surgeon General Attacks Vaccine Cuts: 'People Are Going To Die'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's former Surgeon General Jerome Adams has warned that "people are going to die" if the United States cuts funding for mRNA vaccine development. It comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that his department would terminate 22 Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) investments in mRNA vaccine development, representing nearly $500 million in federal funding. He said the decision was taken after reviews showed mRNA vaccines "failed protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu." Newsweek contacted the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams speaking at the White House in April 2020. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams speaking at the White House in April 2020. AP Why It Matters Kennedy has been a longtime vaccine critic, and questioned their effectiveness on numerous occasions. His tenure as the head of HHS has seen top vaccine experts, food safety supervisors and other public-health officials either resign or be ousted. The 22 projects are led by major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Moderna, and aim to develop vaccines against the flu, COVID-19 and H5N1. mRNA technology, which underpins these vaccines, is widely credited with helping slow the spread of the coronavirus during the 2020 pandemic. Infectious-disease specialists have also warned that future pandemics will be harder to stop without the help of mRNA. What To Know Adams, who served in Trump's first administration, said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday that mRNA technology accelerated vaccine development by an estimated 18 to 24 months. He added that "by the most conservative estimates, at least 2 million lives were saved" during the pandemic because of mRNA vaccines. "It's a natural molecule that's in all of our bodies. It's like a recipe card that tells your body how to make a protein," he said. "And this new idea, again, helps us develop vaccines and new treatments for everything from cancer, melanoma - which my wife has - to HIV, to better flu vaccines." He added: "These are advances that are not going to happen now... people are going to die because we're cutting short funding for this technology." Several other infectious disease experts have also spoken out against Kennedy's decision. Rick Bright, the former director of BARDA, said on X: "A bad day for science, and huge blow to our national security. This decision will have dangerous repercussions." Dr. Thomas A. Russo, an expert in infectious diseases, told Newsweek that Kennedy's decision was "shortsighted," and said mRNA vaccines "will be critical when the next, inevitable infectious diseases crisis rears its ugly head." What People Are Saying RFK Jr. said on X last week: "We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu." Infectious diseases expert Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who specializes in pandemic preparedness, told Newsweek: "RFK's actions are completely devoid of value. They are only designed to serve more distrust of a proven and valuable vaccine technology. The repercussions of this decision will serve only to diminish the resiliency of the United States, and the world, to infectious disease threats." What Happens Next In his statement, Kennedy urged the department to shift from mRNA vaccines and "invest in better solutions," but did not specify alternatives. Lawmakers, public-health officials, and industry leaders are expected to press HHS for detailed timelines and alternative research investments options.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
How RFK Jr.'s mRNA crackdown affects vaccine making and future pandemics
The Trump administration's decision to terminate hundreds of millions of dollars to develop mRNA vaccines and treatments imperils the country's ability to fight future pandemics and is built on false or misleading claims about the technology, public health experts said. Vaccine development is typically a years-long process, but mRNA technology paired with massive injections of federal funding during the coronavirus pandemic drastically slashed the timeline. The first covid shots, based on mRNA, were in people's arms less than a year after the United States recorded its first coronavirus case - a signature achievement of the first Trump administration. The flexible technology provided a road map for how to quickly respond to pathogens that are constantly evolving, including H5N1 avian bird flu, a candidate to spark the next pandemic. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. But research into H5N1 mRNA vaccines were among nearly two dozen mRNA projects supported by the government's biodefense agency that were terminated or altered, according to a Department of Health and Human Services statement released Tuesday. The moves affect $500 million in projects, according to HHS, including covid and flu therapeutics and vaccines. 'This represents a significant setback for our preparedness efforts in responding to infectious-disease outbreaks,' said Dawn O'Connell, the former assistant secretary of preparedness and response at HHS during the Biden administration. If viruses change, mRNA can be quickly rebooted and manufactured. But HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized mRNA vaccines, arguing that they are ineffective at fighting upper respiratory infections and keeping up with the mutations of a virus. Kennedy has a history of disparaging the mRNA coronavirus vaccines, in 2021 falsely calling them the 'deadliest vaccine ever made.' He has also said there was a 'poison' in it - claims refuted by medical experts. He has also been under pressure from anti-vaccine activists who say he has not done enough to remove mRNA vaccines from the market. The full scope of mRNA projects terminated was not immediately clear. Multiple companies mentioned by HHS did not immediately respond to questions. A spokesman for Moderna, which previously lost funding to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, said the company was not aware of new contract cancellations. The AstraZeneca program that HHS is restructuring is an RNA-based pandemic influenza vaccine that is in early stages of development. The company is exploring options for next steps, a spokeswoman said. An inhaled mRNA treatment for flu and covid being developed at Emory University was terminated. Some late-stage projects are proceeding, such as early human testing of an mRNA-based H5N1 candidate being developed by Arcturus Therapeutics 'to preserve prior taxpayer investment,' according to HHS. Gritstone Bio, which HHS said had a project proposal rejected, already ceased operating earlier this year after declaring bankruptcy. A terminated contract to Tiba Biotech was for a H1N1 flu treatment that was not based on mRNA, but a different RNA technology. The company received a stop work order late Tuesday afternoon. 'This comes as a surprise given the Department's stated goal of winding down mRNA vaccine development,' Jasdave Chahal, Tiba's chief scientific officer, said in an email. 'Our project does not involve the development of an mRNA product and is a therapeutic rather than a vaccine.' 'It's going to deter innovations,' said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California College of the Law at San Francisco, whose research focuses on vaccine law and policy. 'Why invest in new technologies if the government can not only refuse to fund them, but if it's going to cancel already promised contracts?' HHS said in its statement that 'other uses of mRNA technology,' such as cancer treatments, are not affected by the announcement. But researchers worried that the Trump administration's criticism of the mRNA technology would have a chilling effect on one of the most promising fields in medicine. In 2023, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman shared the Nobel Prize in medicine for fundamental work on mRNA that enabled the development of coronavirus vaccines. 'It's absolutely perplexing why this is happening,' said Jeff Coller, a professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University who has studied mRNA for more than three decades. 'You have to sort of scratch your head to wonder why the secretary is directing these sort of actions against probably one of the most powerful platforms in medicine that has come along in the last 20 years.' Six scientific and medical experts said Kennedy and HHS offered misleading assessments of mRNA technology as they announced the termination of research. Here are the issues they flagged with some of the statements: - - - 'The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu,' Kennedy said in a statement. It's true that mRNA vaccines can be ineffective at preventing coronavirus infections, although data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows they still offer some protection. But several scientific experts noted the primary purpose of vaccination is to prevent hospitalizations and death, which the mRNA vaccines have effectively done, according to CDC data. The FDA has not approved an mRNA flu vaccine, so experts said it was premature to make sweeping claims about its potential efficacy. - - - 'One mutation and the vaccine becomes ineffective,' Kennedy said in a video. The coronavirus keeps evolving in a way that makes it easier to infect people who have some immunity from vaccination or prior infection. But medical experts said the mRNA vaccines have been resilient in maintaining protection against severe outcomes. Manufacturers have also been able to update formulas annually to better target new variants. 'That is actually one of the most powerful aspects of mRNA vaccines: that you can, in real time, develop new mRNAs against the virus as the virus changes,' Coller said. 'I'm not sure why that would be considered a bad thing.' - - - 'We've seen now these epidemics of myocarditis,' Kennedy said at a news conference. Coronavirus vaccines designed using mRNA carry a very small risk of myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart, from the coronavirus vaccine, particularly in young men. However, medical experts said the data shows there is not an 'epidemic' of the condition; in fact, the rates of myocarditis and other heart illness are much higher from the virus instead of the vaccine. Jessica Malaty Rivera, an infectious-disease epidemiologist, said this rhetoric was part of the pandemic revisionist 'revenge tour.' 'Calling it an epidemic is absolutely misleading,' she said. - - - 'Technologies that were funded during the emergency phase but failed to meet current scientific standards will be phased out in favor of evidence-based, ethically grounded solutions – like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms' - HHS statement Scientific experts said a variety of vaccine types are often required to fight emerging infectious diseases. In some cases, whole-virus vaccines have been known to have serious side effects. Peter Hotez, a physician and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, said he was surprised to hear HHS tout whole-virus vaccines because China had used a whole-virus vaccine for coronavirus that was 'pretty mediocre,' Hotez said. Kennedy is 'pushing a technology that is actually probably the most problematic of all vaccines we could pick,' Hotez said. - - - Rachel Roubein, Sabrina Malhi and Daniel Gilbert contributed to this report Related Content Trump is threatening to take over D.C. Here's what he can and can't do. They once shared recipes. Now her family is going hungry in Gaza. Pets are being abandoned, surrendered amid Trump's immigration crackdown Solve the daily Crossword
