US avian flu tests California dairy cattle By Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing to confirm possible cases of bird flu in dairy cattle in California, the nation’s largest dairy state, the USDA said on Friday.

California said Thursday it is investigating possible cases at three dairies in the Central Valley region.

The cases, if confirmed, would make California the 14th state to detect the H5N1 virus in dairy cows since March. More than 190 herds have been infected nationwide, along with 13 dairy and poultry farm workers, according to federal data.

The virus’ jump to cows from birds has raised concerns that it could adapt to spread to humans. Federal officials say bird flu is a low risk to the general public and that pasteurization inactivates the virus in milk.

The USDA said it is in close contact with the California Department of Food and Agriculture as part of efforts to contain the virus.