The H5N1 type A virus, commonly known as “bird flu” or “bird flu,” has spread from hen farms to dairy facilities nationwide. The latest developments have dairy consumers wondering whether their morning glass of milk is safe to consume and whether people could be infected next.
Eight US states have reported outbreaks on dairy farms: New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina.first A dairy farm worker in Texas was also diagnosed with the virus.2
Experts have noted “high virus concentrations” in dairy products, leading many to suspect milking machines may play a role in spreading the virus. Scientists further note that if the virus continues to evolve – as pathogens tend to – more people could become infected.3
Meanwhile, the nation’s largest fresh egg producer recently suspended operations due to widespread disease in hens.4 Avian flu has caused alarm for years, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recording nearly 86 million cases of the disease in birds in the United States since 2016.5
The rise of diseases transmitted from animals to humans
Zoonoses – or zoonotic diseases – are diseases that spread from animals to humans, often through blood, feces and body fluids.
COVID-19, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS, Ebola and H1N1 (swine flu) are all confirmed or suspected to be of animal origin. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases originate in animals.6
Industrial farms – where pigs, chickens, cows and other animals are raised in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions – are potential environments for the spread of such diseases. Stress weakens animals’ immune systems, causing disease outbreaks to occur more quickly.
Animal Equality investigators have filmed unsanitary conditions in factory farms and slaughterhouses around the world. Related findings include:
- Violent workers Insert the stick into the buffalo’s genitalscause bleeding wounds
- Pigs have uterine prolapse, hernias, and pus-filled wounds
- Ducks and geese die on the floor of the foie gras farm
- Cannibalism in pigs
- Inexperienced dairy farm workers illegally use Oxytocin, a hormone used to stimulate milk production
- Pigs are trapped between blood, feces and internal organs
- Workers wash dirty meat with buckets of water
Prevent the next pandemic
While crowded, unsanitary industrial farms facilitate the spread of diseases from animals to humans, you can help prevent the next outbreak. Join the more than 100,000 people who signed Animal Equality’s petition to ban factory farming in the United States.
{firstname}, thank you for signing this petition to help animals.
Your voice matters as we create a world where all animals are respected and protected. Please help us continue to spread the word and please share this petition with your friends and family.
Share this recommendation
You can stop this cruelty! Please sign our petition calling for an end to factory farming in the United States.
You can also protect yourself from unsanitary meat, dairy, and eggs by replacing animal products with plant-based proteins. Discover how you can get started by downloading your copy of the Love Veg digital cookbook.
PROTECT MOTHERHOOD
A cow’s maternal instincts foster a gentle bond with her vulnerable baby.
Maintain this tender relationship by choosing plant-based alternatives to dairy products.
- Aleccia, J. (2024, April 13). Bird flu is spreading to more farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe? AP News. https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-h5n1-food-raw-milk-dairy-9d3a579b9bdb6f4d879b14b153174102
- Wen, LS (2024, April 16). Why the spread of bird flu to a Texas dairy worker is so alarming The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/16/bird-flu-human-case-cattle/
- Stone, W. (2024, April 11). Avian flu spreads to livestock and causes respiratory risks in humans. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/11/1243954362/bird-flu-s Spread-cattle-mutations-respiratory-human-risk
- Miller, K. (2024, April 2). The largest producer of fresh eggs in the US has detected bird flu in chickens at a factory in Texas. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-texas-mississippi-chickens-dbae49f8786dda586036c1b86b9d0997
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 10). H5N1 bird flu detected across the United States (Backyard and Commercial). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/data-map-commercial.html
- World Health Organization. (2023, October 23). One health. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health
