News reports based on health agencies' data

H5N1 Outbreak in US Cattle Across Nine States; 36 Cases Raise Human Transmission Fears

May 4, 2024, 12:40 PM

The U.S. is currently facing an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has spread to dairy cattle across nine states with 36 confirmed cases. This marks a concerning development as the virus has shown potential for mammal-to-human transmission, with a documented case in Texas where a dairy worker developed severe pinkeye but no respiratory symptoms after exposure to infected cattle. Vivien Dugan, CDC's flu division director, is leading the national response, despite challenges such as restricted access to affected farms for further investigation. Hospitals have expressed concerns about their readiness for a potential widespread outbreak among humans, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has also impacted the cattle industry, with a drop in U.S. cattle prices due to fears of reduced demand, and reports of infected workers.