(From SRN NEWS/Reuters) – The U.S. bird-flu outbreak in dairy cattle is much larger than official figures suggest due to farmers’ reluctance to test their animals and risk the economic consequences of a positive result, according to Reuters interviews with dairy experts, veterinarians, and farmers in six states with known cases.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has counted bird flu in about 190 dairy herds in 13 states since March. The virus’s jump from birds to cows heightened concerns that it could adapt to spread among humans. Scientists have warned that limited surveillance could weaken the U.S.’ ability to respond to further human spread.
Thirteen dairy and poultry farm workers have been infected with bird flu this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Click here for the full story: US undercounts bird flu in cattle as farmers shun testing – SRN News