US Dairy Faces Growing Threat from H5N1 Bird Flu Amid Economic and Public Health Concerns

USA 08.01.2025

Source: DairyNews.today

The Biden administration has allocated nearly $2 billion to combat the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, with $1.5 billion directed to the USDA for containment efforts and $360 million set aside to safeguard public health. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to humans remains low, the virus’s spread among U.S. dairy cattle raises alarms about its potential to mutate and enable human-to-human transmission.

US Dairy Faces Growing Threat from H5N1 Bird Flu Amid Economic and Public Health Concerns

Economic Fallout for US Dairy
The H5N1 outbreak has already taken a toll on the U.S. dairy sector, particularly in California, the nation’s largest milk producer. Since August 2024, approximately 650 herds—representing nearly 70% of California’s dairies—have been infected, leading to a 9.2% year-over-year drop in milk production as of November. This marks the steepest decline in 20 years, with monthly production falling below 3 billion pounds for the first time since 2004.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to expedite measures to control the virus, which has now spread to 16 states. Experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), caution that a comprehensive approach is essential to halt the disease.

Pasteurized Milk Declared Safe, but Challenges Persist
While pasteurization eliminates the virus, protecting consumers, the outbreak poses significant risks to animal health and farm economics. Veterinarians have noted that H5N1 exacerbates existing health issues, such as mastitis, and leads to reduced milk yields.

Calls for Vaccination Programs
A study published in mBio by U.S. and British researchers highlights the need for a potential H5-subtype vaccination program to prevent further transmission. However, no vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 are currently approved for cattle or humans, leaving the sector vulnerable.

Biosecurity Measures for Dairy Farms
The National Milk Producers Federation has issued updated guidance to dairy farmers, emphasizing strict biosecurity protocols. These include isolating new cattle for 30 days, minimizing farm visits, and ensuring milking equipment is properly sanitized to prevent cow-to-cow transmission.

First US H5N1 Fatality Reported
Adding urgency to the situation, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the first U.S. fatality from H5N1 on January 6, 2025. The patient, over 65 with underlying conditions, contracted the virus from a backyard flock and wild birds.

Policy Recommendations for the Future
The Center for Strategic and International Studies has criticized the U.S. response, highlighting gaps in pandemic preparedness. The report urges stronger coordination, better farmworker protections, and accelerated vaccine development to prevent further spread.

As the dairy industry grapples with this unprecedented threat, experts warn that swift, coordinated action is critical to safeguarding both animal and public health.