Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Information for Dairy Producers and Workers

Avian influenza in dairy cattle:

In March 2024, an outbreak of avian influenza was detected in U.S. dairy cattle. Since then, avian influenza has spread to hundreds of dairy farms across multiple states. Several dairy workers on those farms have become infected with avian influenza. Almost all of the people who have gotten avian influenza in the United States have had mild disease and made full recoveries, but severe disease is possible.

To date, avian influenza has not been detected in New York dairy cattle.

How does avian influenza spread to cows?

Scientists that study avian influenza viruses believe that avian influenza was first introduced to cows by an infected wild bird in late 2023 and has spread from cow to cow since then. Infected cows spread the avian influenza virus primarily through their milk and nasal secretions (snot). Cows can become sick through direct contact with an infected cow, shared milking equipment, or other contaminated surfaces or equipment.

Learn more about how avian influenza spreads and how to protect your farm.

How does avian influenza spread from cows to people?

People can become sick through:

• Raw milk splashes from an infected cow to the eyes, nose, or mouth
• Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after handling infected animals, touching raw milk, or touching a contaminated surface
• Drinking raw milk
• Breathing in droplets of the virus

What are the signs of avian influenza in cows?

Signs of avian influenza in cows include:

• Reduced milk production
• Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk
• A decrease in feed consumption (eating less)
• Abnormal, tacky, or loose feces
• Lethargy (low energy)
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Clear nasal discharge

If you notice these signs in your cows, contact your veterinarian or the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Field Veterinarian for your county right away.

I work with dairy cattle, and I think I have avian influenza. What should I do?

• Contact your local health department. Tell them your symptoms and that you work with dairy cattle. They will help you get testing and treatment, if needed. They will have bilingual staff or access to interpreters if you prefer to speak a language other than English.
• Tell your employer.
• Stay away from people as best you can and wear a mask.
• If you go to a clinic or hospital for health care, call ahead and let them know you have symptoms of avian influenza.

How to keep workers safe:

What measures can be put in place to protect farm workers?

• People who work with infected animals are at higher risk of avian influenza.
• To reduce this risk, some people who work directly with animals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Which PPE workers should wear depends on their risk of exposure according to CDC guidance, summarized in the table below:

Exposure level	Work Task/Setting	Recommended PPE
High	Contact with confirmed or potentially infected (sick) animals, either dead or alive. Contact with raw milk, other secretions (fluids), udders, or viscera (internal organs) from an animal with confirmed or potentially infected (sick) animals. Examples: Working in milking parlor, including milking and cleaning Processing raw milk Working in sick pens Culling poultry Doing some jobs in a slaughterhouse	NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator (such as an N-95) Safety goggles Disposable gloves Fluid-resistant coveralls Head cover or hair cover Boots or boot covers Optional: Waterproof apron Optional: Face shield Optional: Outer work gloves
Medium	Contact with healthy, non-lactating animals on a dairy farm with confirmed or potentially infected animals. Contact with animals from a farm without confirmed or potentially infected animals but when there are confirmed or potentially infected animals on other farms in the region.	NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator (such as an N-95) Safety goggles Disposable gloves Optional: Outer work gloves
Low	Contact with healthy animals when there are no infected animals in the region. No contact with animals or animal secretions.	None

Employers should provide appropriate PPE for their workers according to their exposure level and ensure that workers are appropriately trained to use PPE.

Anyone working with animals should:

• Wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water throughout the day, especially after handling sick animals and before eating. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol instead.
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth while working.
• Never consume raw milk or raw milk products.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect from avian influenza, but it can prevent workers from getting sick with seasonal flu and avian influenza at the same time.

What should I do if I have questions about preventing avian influenza?

For questions about animal health and farm biosecurity, contact your veterinarian or the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Field Veterinarian for your county.

For questions about preventing avian influenza in people, including questions about PPE, contact your local health department.

Resources for dairy producers

Resources for dairy workers