According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, highly pathogenic avian influenza - also known as bird flu or H5N1 - is a highly contagious and often deadly disease primarily found in poultry, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses. It is important to note that 'highly pathogenic' refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans. This distinction is critical, especially when discussing food safety amid outbreaks.
The virus can spread from wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals, with recent cases confirming its presence in California's poultry and even cows. The situation has raised concerns about food safety, particularly as bird flu has infected over 130 dairies and sickened 15 dairy workers. Despite these outbreaks, infectious disease experts stress that the risk of transmission through properly handled and cooked food remains low, provided that standard precautions are followed.
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