"Potential Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Among Dairy Farm Workers"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported cases of highly contagious bird flu, H5N1, in dairy cow populations across six states, including Texas, Idaho, New Mexico, Kansas, Michigan, and Ohio. While the virus is considered "highly pathogenic" in birds, the risk to humans remains low, with the CDC stating that it is not a significant threat to the general public. The virus is believed to have originated from wild migratory birds, and while it spreads easily among animals, it is not easily transmitted to humans. Farmers are advised to monitor their cattle for signs of infection, and the FDA has issued a reminder that unpasteurized milk from infected animals could lead to infection. Despite the cases, both the FDA and USDA have stated that the loss of milk from infected animals is not significant enough to impact the supply of dairy products or consumer prices.