Bird Flu (H5N1) Spreads to Cows and Milk, Raising Concerns of Human Transmission

The detection of H5N1 in dairy cows and commercial milk has sparked new fears about the potential for the virus to mutate and spread to humans.

Recent detections of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows across several U.S. states and in commercial milk have heightened concerns about the potential for the virus to mutate and spread to humans.
The virus, which has been responsible for the culling of millions of birds since 2020, has shown the ability to infect a range of mammals, increasing its opportunities to evolve.
Human cases of H5N1 remain rare, with most infections resulting from direct contact with infected animals, but the potential for human-to-human transmission exists.
Health authorities maintain that the risk to the general public is low, as pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus in milk.
The USDA and FDA are monitoring the situation closely, with measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus among livestock and ensure the safety of the food supply.