bird flu

Experts worry that a bird flu outbreak among dairy cattle could lead to a pandemic in the human population. Now, there's some research behind that. A study finds that the flu can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days.

The progression of the species-jumping disease has been unprecedented, including the first-ever U.S. cases of infections in dairy cattle and heightened pandemic risks.

A Washington Post health columnist outlines priorities shaping public health policy. Then, an insurance expert untangles the complicated web of health insurance.

In an abundance of caution, the CDC last week advised hospitals and labs to do faster flu testing to help identify possible bird flu cases hiding in the flock of rising flu diagnoses.

Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested even if they show no symptoms, according to new guidance issued after eight workers tested positive in Michigan and Colorado.

So far, all nine cases reported nationally this year at dairy and poultry farms have been mild, consisting of respiratory symptoms and eye irritation.

The worker, who had direct contact with infected cows, experienced an eye infection and has since recovered after receiving antiviral treatment.

Experts fear human exposure to the virus can cause it to adapt and spread among humans and create a pandemic. For now, the risk is low.

Health authorities say the man died from a type of bird flu called H5N2 that has never before been found in a human. It isn't known how the man became infected.

The spread of an avian flu virus in cattle has again brought public health attention to the potential for a global pandemic. Fighting it would depend, for now, on 1940s technology that makes vaccines from hens’ eggs.