Bird Flu Detected in Arizona Dairy Milk Supply, Raising Concerns Over Spillover

Arizona agriculture officials confirm the first case of H5N1 bird flu in cow milk, linked to a new viral genotype, with public health risks deemed low.

• The Arizona Department of Agriculture identified H5N1 bird flu in milk from a Maricopa County dairy farm, marking the state's first detection in cows.
• The detected strain, D1.1, is distinct from previous genotypes found in dairy herds and has been linked to human infections in other states.
• The affected dairy farm has been quarantined, but the cattle show no signs of illness, and pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption, officials stress.
• The H5N1 bird flu has caused widespread infections in poultry and is now increasingly detected in cattle, raising concerns about viral spillovers from birds to mammals.
• Health authorities maintain that the risk to the general public remains low, though individuals in close contact with dairy cattle may face increased exposure risks.

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