Federal health officials issued a call for increased testing of farmworkers following revelations of bird flu exposure among dairy workers. A recent study indicated that some workers had developed antibodies against H5N1 influenza despite no reported symptoms. Dr. Nirav Shah, a director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the need to test and treat these workers proactively to prevent human transmission and viral mutation.

The study analyzed 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado, revealing that 7% had been exposed to the virus, which was initially identified in March among dairy cattle. This figure exceeds the previously reported 46 infections in the US. Notably, measures are being adapted from symptom-based testing to include those without symptoms, indicative of evolving risk assessments. Dr. Gregory Gray of the University of Texas pointed out the CDC’s shift as evidence of a heightened perceived threat from H5N1 viruses.

High viral levels have been detected in the milk of infected cows, posing increased risk. Worker monitoring has faced impediments, notably due to testing reluctance among farm owners. Criticism has been directed at the federal response for being sluggish, with virus expert Angela Rasmussen warning of the risks if the virus continues spreading unchecked. The outbreak has affected 446 cattle herds across 15 states, and the virus was recently detected in an Oregon pig, marking a troubling expansion into new species. (This story was generated by Newser’s AI chatbot. Source: the AP)