H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to Dairy Cows, Raising Pandemic Concerns

Experts urge immediate testing and transparency to prevent potential human epidemic as virus crosses species barriers.

H5N1 bird flu has infected dairy cows in 12 states, with significant human exposure risks reported.
Three human cases linked to the outbreak, including one with respiratory symptoms, raising fears of human-to-human transmission.
The dairy industry is urged to adopt widespread testing and biosecurity measures similar to those in the poultry sector.
Federal and state agencies face criticism for slow response and lack of real-time data sharing on viral spread.
Vaccination efforts and enhanced surveillance are being discussed as essential steps to control the outbreak.