US Officials Warn Further Spread Of Avian Flu In Dairy Cattle Presents Opportunities For Human Infections

Reuters (6/13, Douglas, Steenhuysen) reports, “Further spread of bird flu among U.S. dairy herds presents additional opportunities for human infections, federal officials said on Thursday while urging farms to take enhanced biosecurity measures to contain the virus.” H5N1 avian flu “has been reported in 94 dairy herds across 12 states since late March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Although “the risk to public health is currently low...additional spread of the virus could increase that risk, said Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a briefing call with reporters.” So far, “three dairy farm workers have tested positive since the virus began circulating among dairy cows.”