Poultry Farms Bird Flu Avian Influenza

Undetected Bird Flu in Cattle and humans

Avitrol Corportation | March 19, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a study revealing that the H5N1 bird flu virus may be spreading undetected among humans and cattle. This data, which had been delayed due to a freeze in external communications during the Trump administration, underscores the potential risks to workers in facilities where cattle are present. The findings suggest that some cases of human infection could have gone unnoticed, even in areas where no bird flu outbreaks in cattle were reported.

The Emergence of Bird Flu in Dairy Cattle

The study marks the first time the H5N1 bird flu strain has been detected in dairy cattle. Researchers tested blood samples from 150 veterinarians who work with cattle across the country and found that three of them had antibodies for the H5N1 virus, indicating past infection. However, none of these individuals recalled experiencing flu-like symptoms, and they didn’t work with cattle that had confirmed or suspected bird flu infections—though one had worked with infected poultry.

For facilities managers overseeing livestock, this research highlights a potential risk: workers may be exposed to the virus without showing symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect and manage the spread of the disease within the workforce. It's essential to consider this when evaluating infection control protocols on site.

The Challenge of Identifying Asymptomatic Infections

This study emphasizes the difficulty in detecting infections based solely on symptoms. If the virus continues to spread in subclinical or mild forms, it could quickly go unnoticed, complicating efforts to contain it. Infectious disease experts, including Gregory Gray from the University of Texas Medical Branch, warn that if H5 viruses become more transmissible among humans, it could lead to a rapid, uncontrolled spread.

As facilities managers, it’s important to recognize that routine health checks and symptom-based protocols might not be sufficient for identifying all cases. Asymptomatic or mild cases, especially in workers with regular exposure to livestock, could pose a hidden risk to the facility’s health and safety efforts.

Gaps in Current Surveillance and Testing Systems

Although the CDC study found that only a small percentage of veterinarians tested positive for the virus, the findings underscore a key issue: current surveillance systems are insufficient. The CDC's previous survey of dairy workers revealed that 7% showed evidence of past infections, even though many reported no symptoms. This highlights a critical gap in disease surveillance in facilities where workers are directly exposed to animals.

For facilities managers, this points to a need for more comprehensive monitoring programs—both for workers and for livestock. With proper surveillance, including serological testing and proactive health monitoring, it may be possible to identify infections that otherwise go undetected.

New Concerns: H5N1 Variant in Cattle

In addition to these findings, researchers recently discovered a variant of H5N1 in dairy cattle for the first time. While the full implications of this are still being studied, there are concerns that this could complicate efforts to control the virus or develop effective vaccination programs for cattle. Moreover, researchers are investigating whether this variant might increase the risk to human health.

For facilities managers, these new developments add an extra layer of complexity to managing biosecurity protocols. The detection of bird flu in dairy cattle could necessitate changes in how facilities handle infection control, including adjustments to vaccination policies and herd management practices.

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Strengthening Surveillance and Response Protocols

Tracking human infections in the dairy industry has proven difficult due to limited disease surveillance authority on farms and reluctance among workers to seek testing. Despite the relatively low reported number of infections, the possibility of undetected cases suggests that facilities may not be fully aware of the scope of the issue.

For facilities managers, this reinforces the importance of building a robust health and safety infrastructure that includes not only preventive measures but also rapid response capabilities in the event of an outbreak. With a more thorough surveillance program in place, workers' health can be monitored more effectively, and the spread of the virus can be better managed.

Key Takeaways for Facilities Managers

Monitor and Test Regularly: Ensure that regular testing and monitoring are part of your infection control protocols, including serological testing for workers who have regular exposure to livestock.
Prepare for Asymptomatic Infections: Be aware that infections may not always present with clear symptoms, so be vigilant in monitoring for any unusual health patterns among workers.
Update Biosecurity Measures: Stay informed about new developments regarding bird flu in cattle, and update your biosecurity practices to include measures for handling potential outbreaks in both humans and livestock.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with CDC reports and other public health communications to quickly respond to new information and adjust your facility’s protocols as needed.

By adapting to these evolving risks and strengthening surveillance systems, facilities can better manage the potential spread of H5N1 and safeguard the health of both workers and livestock.