For the first time, a virulent strain of bird flu has been detected in U.S. dairy cows. Fragments of the virus have also been found in commercial milk. Today, health reporter Lena Sun shares the latest on the outbreak and why the risk to humans remains low.
In recent years, H5N1 bird flu has become widespread among wild birds around the world and has spread to mammals like seals and squirrels. It can be fatal and has resulted in the deaths or cullings of tens of millions of chickens in the United States alone.
Then in March, another concerning development caught the attention of scientists around the world: H5N1 was found in a herd of dairy cows for the first time in the United States. The virus has since been identified in cows in at least nine states, and preliminary testing of the virus fragments in commercial milk indicate the outbreak may be more widespread than previously thought.
While the cases in cows appear to be mild so far, a dairy worker also became sick last month with mild symptoms, marking the second known U.S. case of this type of bird flu in a human.
Today, national health reporter Lena Sun joins “Post Reports” to share the latest on what is known and not known about the growing outbreak, and the precautions people can take to stay healthy.
Read more:
As bird flu spreads in cows, fractured U.S. response has echoes of early covid
Bird flu explained: How it spreads, milk and egg safety and more
How prepared the U.S. is for a bird flu pandemic
Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Rachel Roubein and Tracy Jan.
Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
A GOP debate without Trump
A life-and-death fight to ban ‘forever chemicals’
A road trip with Sinéad O’Connor
Where does Maui go from here?
What Georgia's racketeering charges could mean for Trump
'Brain desirable,' Part 2
'Brain desirable,' Part 1
It was all a dream: Hip-hop turns 50
Meet the hackers trying to make AI go rogue
Avoiding the news? You’re not alone.
RFK Jr.’s politics of conspiracy
The fading invincibility of U.S. women’s soccer
Friendship: It’s good for your health
The problem for NFL running backs
United States v. Donald Trump. Again.
Two years ago, an abortion ban made them teen parents
How Jason Aldean’s 'Small Town' became a right-wing anthem
Deep Reads: After Mississippi banned his hormone shots, an 8-hour journey
Parents are using AirTags to track kids
The doctors prescribing misinformation
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The 7
1 big thing
Today, Explained
The Journal.
Consider This from NPR