As H5N1 bird flu outbreaks escalate across California dairy farms, the effect on the U.S. milk supply and prices remains uncertain. By October 9, California reported 93 outbreaks, nearly doubling in a week. While milk production has been minimally affected so far, experts warn that more farms could become infected in the coming weeks. The impact on milk prices has been limited, with experts suggesting that significant price hikes are unlikely unless infections spread further. Approximately 4.8% of the nation’s dairy cows have been infected, though underreporting may hide a larger number.
There have been five cases of human infection among Central Valley dairy workers, with health officials reassuring the public that H5N1 poses little threat to humans and that pasteurized milk is safe. However, concerns persist over higher-than-expected cow mortality rates and declines in milk production among recovered cows. Epidemiologists worry that the virus’s spread could increase the risk of it mixing with human viruses, potentially creating a public health issue.
