Particle.news

Download on the App Store

H5N1 Bird Flu Detected in U.S. Dairy Farms, Raising Pandemic Concerns

The H5N1 virus, primarily affecting birds, has been found in dairy cattle and poses potential risks for human transmission.

  • H5N1 bird flu virus has been circulating in U.S. dairy farms, with genetic material found in 20% of milk samples.
  • The virus, which is lethal in humans, has not shown sustained human-to-human transmission but could evolve to do so.
  • Public health response remains low despite potential for a new pandemic, with pasteurization confirmed to kill the virus in milk.
  • Only one confirmed case of H5N1 in a farm worker has been reported, amid concerns of under-testing and possible wider spread.
  • Outbreaks of the virus in mammals have been increasing globally, affecting wildlife populations and raising ecological concerns.
Hero image