The spread of avian flu in U.S. dairy herds poses additional risks of human infection, federal officials said Thursday, while urging farms to take enhanced biosecurity measures to contain the virus.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bird flu has been reported in 94 dairy herds in 12 states since the end of March.
Spread between dairy farms is likely due to animal movements, sharing of staff, and vehicles and equipment moving between farms, Kammy Johnson, a veterinary epidemiologist at the USDA, said at a meeting of information with journalists.
Biosecurity practices, such as cleaning equipment and limiting the movement of sick animals, are important to containing the spread of the virus, Johnson said.
Further spread of the virus could increase the risk to public health, which is currently low, Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the news conference.
“The more infections there are in cows, the greater the risk of infections in humans,” Mr Shah said.
The CDC has tracked more than 500 people and tested at least 45 during the current outbreak, Shah said. Three dairy farm employees have tested positive since the virus began circulating on dairy farms.
