When the first confirmed case of the H5N1 virus was diagnosed in a Texas herd in March 2024, the industry came together to counteract the spreading virus. The FARM Program's biosecurity program area quickly became a leader in the effort, using the latest science and best on-farm practices to help mitigate the bird flu’s spread.

Despite political uncertainty, dairy producers across the Midwest are feeling positive and optimistic as we begin 2025, largely due to higher milk prices, improved profitability and a strong beef market.

Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was a wild card for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease.

In coordination with state health departments in Michigan and Colorado, the CDC tested blood from people who were exposed to dairy cows with H5N1 bird flu infection, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Eight of the 115 people tested (7% of participants) showed evidence of recent H5N1 virus infection.

While uncertainty still surrounds how humans can get the H5N1 bird flu virus from cattle, dairy producers, supervisors and workers continue their vital agricultural production in the frontline of these unfolding events.