Bird Flu Spreads to Dairy Herds and Farmworkers, Testing Lags

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in three more dairy herds, bringing the state's total to 21. Despite the outbreak, federal agencies assure that the commercial milk supply remains safe due to pasteurization and strict health regulations. The virus, which can spread from wild birds to other animals, has also led to rare human cases, including a recent one in Michigan. The current outbreak, starting in February 2022, is the worst in U.S. history, affecting over 92 million birds nationwide.