Two dairy workers in California were confirmed to have contracted bird flu, bringing the total number of human cases in the U.S. this year to 16. The workers, both employed at different farms in the Central Valley, were exposed to infected cattle as the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak continues to affect the region’s dairy industry.
The workers reported symptoms of conjunctivitis and mild illness after being exposed to infected livestock. According to health officials, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, and the workers are believed to have contracted the virus from direct contact with the animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the cases, noting that human infection from bird flu is not unexpected when individuals are in close proximity to infected animals. The CDC has reiterated that the risk to the broader public remains low.
Since the outbreak began in March, the bird flu virus has spread to over 250 dairy herds in 14 states, with the Central Valley region of California being particularly hard hit. The outbreak has primarily affected dairy cows, though wild and domestic birds have also been carriers in the past.
Most of the human cases in the U.S. this year have been reported in workers who handle livestock, including those in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. One case in Missouri involved an individual with no known animal contact, and health officials continue to investigate the source of that infection.
The spread of bird flu to dairy cattle represents a new chapter in the virus’s history in the U.S. While avian influenza has typically been confined to birds, the recent transmission to cows has raised concerns about the potential for wider outbreaks in other livestock sectors. Despite this, authorities remain confident that the threat to the general public is minimal and are focused on protecting those who work directly with affected animals.
