Official USDA announcements or reports

H5N1 Bird Flu in U.S. Cattle: 70 Monitored, USDA & CDC Ramp Up Tests

May 10, 2024, 06:10 PM

The spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the U.S., particularly among dairy cattle, has raised significant concerns among scientists and health officials. The virus, which has shown the ability to infect mammals and produce virus-laced milk without noticeable symptoms, has prompted discussions about its potential to become a pandemic. The U.S. government, including agencies like the USDA and CDC, is focusing on ramping up surveillance and testing measures, especially in farming communities where the risk of transmission is higher. Measures include the need for rapid tests on farms to identify infected animals and protect farm workers, as highlighted by health experts. Additionally, 70 people are being monitored for infection in one state, and six new herds have recently tested positive for the virus. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing monitoring of human cases.