All articles tagged with #dairy farms
Scientists have found evidence that bird flu may spread through the air in milking parlors and contaminated wastewater on dairy farms, with live virus detected in the air and on equipment, suggesting inhalation and environmental routes as possible transmission pathways, which raises concerns about undetected spread and potential risks to farmworkers and humans.
Recent research indicates that H5N1 avian flu may spread on dairy farms through airborne particles during milking and contaminated wastewater, highlighting the need for enhanced biosecurity measures to prevent transmission to animals and humans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has mandated nationwide testing of raw milk for bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, to protect dairy herds and prevent the virus's spread. This initiative aims to enhance safety for farmers and farmworkers and involves collecting milk samples from various dairy-related facilities. The testing will begin on December 16 in six states, with positive results requiring reporting and contact tracing. The move follows outbreaks affecting 718 dairy herds across 15 states, with some human cases reported among dairy and poultry workers.
The U.S. government has mandated nationwide testing of raw and unpasteurized milk for bird flu, starting December 16, to monitor and control the spread of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows. Initial testing will occur in six states, with the aim of containing the virus, which has infected over 700 herds across 15 states since March. While the risk to humans remains low, pasteurization effectively kills the virus in milk. The move seeks to reassure farmworkers and enhance safety measures.
The USDA has mandated testing of the U.S. milk supply due to rising bird flu cases, initially detected in a Texas cow and now affecting over 710 dairy herds across 15 states. The testing aims to identify and control the virus's spread, starting in six states including California, where the highest number of infections have been reported. The order allows for testing at dairy farms and during milk processing, with private labs required to report positive cases. While pasteurized milk is deemed safe, raw milk products from a Fresno-based company are under recall due to possible contamination.
The USDA has issued a federal order requiring raw milk samples nationwide to be tested for bird flu, following the detection of the virus in raw milk from a California farm. The order mandates that dairy farms, bulk milk transporters, and processing facilities share samples upon request, and that positive test results be reported to the USDA. This initiative is part of the National Milk Testing Strategy aimed at enhancing surveillance of the milk supply and understanding the spread of bird flu. The CDC has identified raw milk exposure as a high-risk event for bird flu, though no human cases have been linked to the recent detections.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin expanded testing of raw milk from dairy silos nationwide to track the spread of the H5N1 bird flu, which has been affecting dairy cattle since March. This new federal order mandates the sharing of raw milk samples and requires herd owners to provide information for contact tracing if their cattle test positive. The testing aims to enhance biosecurity and control the virus's spread. The first round of testing will start on December 16 in six states, including California and Michigan, where infected herds have been reported.
New research from the CDC indicates that H5N1 bird flu may be infecting more people than previously known, with 7% of monitored dairy farmers in Michigan and Colorado testing positive for antibodies. While the virus has spread from birds to mammals, including dairy cattle, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission yet. However, the potential for the virus to evolve into a strain that could spread easily among humans remains a concern. The CDC emphasizes the need for active monitoring and education to prevent a possible pandemic.
Five workers in Colorado have been infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which is suspected to have spread from dairy cows to chickens and then to humans. The infections occurred during the culling of infected chickens, with high temperatures making it difficult for workers to use protective gear. The CDC and USDA are investigating the outbreak, which has significantly increased the number of human cases linked to the virus. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, but the virus has been found in milk from infected cows.
A third U.S. dairy worker has contracted H5N1 bird flu, marking the first case with respiratory symptoms like cough. The CDC is monitoring the situation closely, though the risk to the general public remains low.
The CDC confirmed a third human case of bird flu in the U.S., this time in a Michigan dairy worker, raising concerns due to traditional flu-like symptoms. The CDC emphasizes the importance of PPE for farm workers and is conducting genetic analysis of the virus. Georgia, which has not yet reported cases, is ramping up preventive measures. The risk to the general public remains low, but monitoring and preventive efforts are being intensified.
The H5N1 avian flu virus has jumped to cows on US dairy farms, posing a risk to farm workers who are in close contact with the animals. Two human infections have been documented, and there are concerns about the virus potentially adapting to spread between humans. Migrant farm workers, often undocumented and lacking health insurance, are particularly vulnerable. Experts call for better protective measures, paid sick leave, and widespread testing to prevent a potential pandemic.
Farmworkers, particularly those in dairy farms, face high-risk exposure to bird flu but are not being adequately tested due to lack of resources and health insurance. Federal officials are offering $75 incentives for testing, but advocates argue that testing positive could lead to significant financial and job security issues for workers. The CDC is working to monitor the virus and provide protective equipment, but there are concerns about the practicality and effectiveness of these measures.
Concerns are rising over the safety of raw milk as bird flu infects dairy herds in multiple states, with some farms refusing to test their milk for the virus. Despite federal warnings against consuming raw milk due to potential health risks, it remains widely available. The debate continues between public health officials advocating for pasteurization and raw milk proponents who argue the risks are overstated.
In early February, dairy farms in the Texas Panhandle experienced an outbreak of a highly pathogenic bird flu virus, H5N1, which was initially misdiagnosed, allowing it to spread to at least eight other states. The virus, typically found in birds, unexpectedly infected cattle, raising concerns about potential mutations that could pose a risk to humans. The outbreak has disrupted dairy operations and led to federal restrictions, causing tension between farmers and authorities. Researchers emphasize the need for better surveillance and understanding of virus transmission to prevent future epidemics.