Bird Flu Outbreak in U.S. Dairy Herds Raises Human Health Concerns

The H5N1 virus has spread to 168 dairy herds and caused 11 human infections since 2022, with experts worried about potential mutations.

The CDC has confirmed 11 human cases of bird flu in the U.S. since 2022, all linked to exposure to infected animals.
H5N1 has infected over 100 million chickens and spread to 13 states' dairy herds, raising fears of a wider outbreak.
Experts are concerned about the virus's high mortality rate and the potential for it to mutate to spread more easily among humans.
The U.S. government has allocated $176 million to develop a bird flu vaccine, and experts call for increased surveillance and testing.
Researchers stress the need for better communication about the risks and uncertainties of H5N1 to prepare for potential future outbreaks.