Overview

• The H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, with cases confirmed in 36 herds across nine states.
• Despite the infection, the risk to the general public remains low as the virus does not currently spread efficiently from person to person.
• Pasteurization processes ensure that commercially sold milk, including those potentially contaminated, remains safe for consumption.
• Federal and state agencies are ramping up testing and surveillance measures to monitor the spread among cattle and prevent wider transmission.
• Experts urge the use of stringent biosecurity measures on farms to control the outbreak and mitigate risks of a potential pandemic.