The actions we take now will determine whether the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak already affecting birds and mammals around the world takes hold in humans.
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Our approach to combating pandemics must shift to one that prioritizes prevention of human infections with zoonotic viruses, rather than focusing on rapid response once human infection is widespread.
Migratory birds could bring the lethal bird flu variant that is assailing the rest of the world’s birds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that dairy cows in nine states have been infected with bird flu in 2024.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
A veterinarian and epidemiologist who studies infectious diseases in dairy cows discusses the outbreak, how cows recover and what the government is doing to keep the milk supply safe.
Strong evidence suggests the risk associated with consuming milk contaminated with H5N1 influenza virus is minimal.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
H5N1 influenza has been reported in dairy cows, and detected in milk. Here’s a look at what’s known about how pasteurization affects the virus and the safety of consuming H5N1-contaminated milk.
Cows typically get over avian flu in a couple of weeks, but it’s an economic blow for farms.
AP Photo/Charlie Litchfield
Bird flu in U.S. dairy cows has Canadian public health experts on high alert. With one human case identified in Texas, what is the likelihood of H5N1 influenza moving from birds to mammals to people?
Technological changes on the horizon will likely disrupt the dairy industry as we know it — plans to mitigate the risks this transition poses to farmer livelihoods and animal welfare should start now.
Cows’ milk yields rise when they eat Brachiaria grass.
Eric Ouma/ILRI
New Zealand’s dairy industry is arguing consumers are being misled if the term “milk” is used for plant-based products such as almond or coconut milk, but consumers are savvier than that.
Canada’s dairy industry is being increasingly put at risk in trade negotiations. A visit to a Canadian dairy farm illuminates why the industry should be protected.
(Shutterstock)
Countries that have phased out supply management systems in the dairy industry have seen an initial spike in production, then a steady decline. That’s why Canada should protect its dairy farmers.
Cooling dairy cows with fans and misters at Pacheco Dairy in Kerman, Calif., during a heat wave in 2006.
AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian
Dairy cows are sensitive to heat, so farmers cool them down with sprinklers and fans. Researchers are designing better, more efficient systems to keep cows comfortable through hot California summers.
Azage Tegegne, International Livestock Research Institute
In Ethiopia most of the milk comes from local breeds which aren’t suited to milk production.
A phased eradication of M. bovis means that an additional 126,000 cows will need to be culled, at an estimated cost of NZ$886 million.
from www.shutterstock.com
Millions of Americans believe brown cows produce chocolate milk? The way the media reported this factoid raises questions about science literacy – but different ones than you may think.
Is Daisy doomed to a life indoors?
Tanathip Rattanatum
The dairy sector in the UK is going through a period of high uncertainty. Not only are suppliers having to cope with retail price wars and the fact that milk prices are being reduced by the increasing…