H5N1 Avian Flu in Dairy Cattle: CDC Clashes with States, Only One Human Case

May 7, 2024, 03:07 PM

The spread of H5N1 avian flu in the U.S. has escalated tensions between federal agencies, state governments, and the dairy industry, particularly in farm states where the virus has been detected in dairy cattle. Despite the CDC's efforts to conduct epidemiological studies and track the virus, states like Texas have not cooperated fully, citing a lack of interest from dairy farms. This resistance complicates efforts to prevent the virus from potentially causing a pandemic. Public health experts are concerned about the virus becoming endemic in cattle, which could facilitate its spread to humans. So far, only one human case has been reported, but the situation remains critical as the virus has also been found in other mammals. The USDA has posted more raw sequence data, and the CDC has reassured that the milk supply is safe.