Bird Flu Outbreak in US Dairy Farms: 142 Cases Detected in 12 States, 4 Human Infections

Jul 10, 2024, 10:30 AM

A Colorado dairy worker has tested positive for bird flu, marking the fourth human case linked to the outbreak. Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development detected another H5N1 bird flu infection in a dairy herd, the state's 26th case, bringing the national total to 142, though the USDA reports 140, missing one each from Iowa and Michigan. The outbreak has spread to dairy farms in at least 12 states, with public health officials on alert due to the unprecedented spread among dairy cows. Despite the growing number of cases, testing among dairy workers remains limited, with only 17 of Missouri’s roughly 60,000 dairy cows tested. Some dairy farmers in Michigan are resisting efforts to contain the virus, fearing economic repercussions. The United States is actively responding to the outbreak, with states playing a key role in testing both cattle and humans.