Nearly two dozen U.S. senators urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a letter, to “prioritize” a vaccine strategy for the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The virus has impacted more than 184 million commercial and backyard poultry birds and more than 1,000 head of dairy cattle since February 2022.

The letter comes as detections of the bird flu have increased over the winter months in states across the country, according to reporting from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

A case of bird flu was detected in Iowa Dec. 2, in a Hamilton County commercial turkey flock, and as recently as Tuesday in flocks in Indiana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Washington.

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The bipartisan letter, which included Iowa Republicans Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, said a “thoughtful and comprehensive vaccine strategy” would “strengthen” the nation’s ability to fight the bird flu, as it prepares for a “resurgence.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins launched a $1 billion plan in February to combat the ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 virus. Part of that plan included $100 million for research into a bird flu vaccine and other potential treatments.

The letter said USDA has a “draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry” that is “currently under review” and the signed senators urged the department to advance the process with “speed and diligence.”

A draft proposal for a bird flu vaccine strategy had not been filed in the Federal Register as of Friday. In June, Reuters reported USDA was “considering” a plan to vaccinate poultry for HPAI and expected the plan would be completed in July.

USDA did not respond Friday to a request for comment and for additional information on the vaccination plan.

Members of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, representing the interests of poultry producing states, submitted a letterto Rollins in February, noting they were wary of a vaccine, as it might interrupt export markets.

While the December letter from senators urged the advancement of the vaccine process, it also asked for “proactive consultation with affected stakeholders.”

“Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science,” the letter said.

Senators said the vaccine strategy should also address “all impacted species” of poultry and that the department should then prioritize a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle.

“Finally, as the USDA rolls out any avian flu vaccine strategy, it is critical that clear and transparent communication to producers, veterinarians, and state animal health officials, along with direct guidance and resources are in place,” the letter said.

The letter was addressed to Rollins and dated Dec. 11. Signees included: Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; Senator Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota; Senator John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania; Senator John Thune R-South Dakota; Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona; Senator James Justice, R-West Virginia; Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan; Senator Michael Lee, R-Utah; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York; Senator Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, Senator Adam Schiff, D-California; Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Senator Tim Kaine, D-Virginia; Senator Jon Husted, R-Ohio; Senator Tina Smith, D-Minnesota; Senator Ted Budd, R-North Carolina; Senator Mark Warner, D-Virginia; Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colorado; Senator Todd Young, R-Indiana; Senator Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico; Senator Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio; Senator Ben Ray Luján, D-New Mexico.