Bird flu takes toll on US dairy as EU mulls prevention steps

The US dairy industry is currently grappling with the impacts of the bird flu outbreak, specifically the H5N1 strain, which has led to serious consequences such as culling nearly one in three infected cows. This has notably affected the dairy market, posing ongoing threats to profitability and biosecurity, even as case numbers have declined. Meanwhile, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is keeping a close eye on the situation, expressing concern about a potential spill-over of the virus into Europe. This cautious outlook underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent further spread. According to new research, the economic impact and animal welfare costs are high, prompting both the US and European stakeholders to consider innovative prevention and mitigation strategies.