Researchers have detected H5N1 avian influenza virus in multiple environmental settings on dairy farms in California, including milk, milking equipment, farm wastewater, and air. The virus is present in both large and small aerosol particles, leading to concerns about biosafety and biosecurity. The high concentrations of H5N1 may contribute to its transmission among cattle and have been linked to previous infections among dairy farm workers. Since the first report of infected cattle in March 2024, the CDC has documented 41 human cases resulting from contact with affected cows.
The H5N1 avian influenza virus can now be found not only in milk and on milking equipment but also in farm wastewater and in the air, say researchers who have been trying to figure out how the virus spreads on dairy farms.
There is a lot of H5N1 virus on these farms; it is everywhere. We need to be expanding biosafety measures and biosecurity measures and trying to control where the virus is.
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