Bird Flu Virus Detected in Cows in Texas, WHO Warns of Potential Spread

In early March, Dr. Barb Petersen, an Amarillo veterinarian, began receiving calls from dairy owners in Texas regarding the sudden deaths of birds and unusual symptoms in cows. Despite testing for typical illnesses, results came back negative. The situation escalated as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks were reported in nine US states, with one dairy worker in Texas also testing positive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the H5N1 bird flu virus could spread to cows in other countries through migratory birds, highlighting a potential global risk.