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In the wake of the devastation recently caused by the wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, Merck Animal Health has announced it will donate $20,000 to help support communities impacted by the fires. The Kansas Livestock Foundation, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation, the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (TX) and Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation Disaster Relief Fund will each receive $5,000 to assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“For many in these communities, the land and cattle are their livelihood and some have been left with nothing,” said Shannon Kellner, Associate Vice President, Food Animal Business. “These farmers and ranchers are more than just our customers; they are our neighbors and friends.”

In addition to the scorched earth and destruction left in the fires’ wake are the cattle showing signs of inflammation and upper respiratory tract irritation due to smoke inhalation, both of which have left these cattle stressed and even more susceptible to other significant health issues. Merck Animal Health is shipping much needed product, ZuprevoTM and Resflor®(florfenicol and flunixin meglumine), to help address the growing health issues in these areas.

“I’ve been a veterinarian for many years and I’ve never seen this kind of devastation and incredible impact on the health of the cattle and we’re doing everything we can to bring as much support and relief to the producers and veterinarians in this area,” said Tim Parks, D.V.M., Merck Animal Health. “This is about doing the right thing for our friends and neighbors and Merck Animal Health has definitely stepped up the plate in their time of need.”

Within the four states, the wildfires have impacted countless cattle, devastated hundreds of thousands of acreage, destroyed homes and ranches, and even resulted in some tragic deaths.

About Merck Animal Health
For over a century, Merck has been a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck.Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).