US health agencies launch new studies of H5N1 bird flu in dairy workers and dairy products

US health agencies are conducting new tests on dairy workers and milk products to better understand the impact of H5N1 bird flu. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have initiated research projects to study the transmission of the virus. The CDC is collaborating with the state of Michigan to assess whether workers exposed to infected cattle have become infected themselves. The FDA is testing flash pasteurization to determine its efficacy in neutralizing the virus in milk. These initiatives aim to enhance understanding of H5N1 bird flu dynamics, which has recently spread to dairy cattle. More than 120 herds across 12 states have tested positive for the infection, which is believed to spread through contact with raw milk.