WASHINGTON — The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Jan. 3 that it is awarding $306 million as a continuation of its response to the spread of H5N1.

“While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary of HHS. “These investments are critical to continuing our disease surveillance, laboratory testing and monitoring efforts alongside our partners at USDA. Preparedness is the key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe. We will continue to ensure our response is strong, well equipped, and ready for whatever is needed.”

HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will distribute approximately $183 million to regional, state and local preparedness programs, including the following:

  • $90 million to the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)
  • $10 million to the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
  • $26 million to the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs)
  • $43 million to the Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Activities
  • $14 million to replenish equipment and supply caches for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will award around $111 million for additional enhancements in monitoring H5N1 at the local, state and national levels. These funds will go toward the following:

  • $103 million to jurisdictions for increased monitoring of individuals exposed to infected animals, testing and outreach to high-risk populations (such as livestock workers)
  • $8 million to manufacture, store and distribute additional influenza diagnostic test kits for virologic surveillance

Lastly, HHS’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) will allocate $11 million for additional research into potential medical countermeasures addressing the bird flu, specifically the following:

  • $11 million to the Centers for Excellence for Influenza Research and Response contracts

While the CDC continues to declare that the risk of the disease to the public remains low, last week the agency reported a mutation in a strain of H5N1 that has sparked some concern. The mutation allows the virus to move more easily through human airways, but the CDC noted that no person-to-person transmission has been discovered yet.