Farm Workers Sound Alarm on Underreported Bird Flu Numbers
Summary
The United Farm Workers union said more dairy workers in Washington’s Yakima Valley have bird flu symptoms than official figures show, but many have not been tested. County officials reported three infections linked to a dairy and one death; the CDC has reported more than 70 human infections nationwide since the outbreak began in 2024, with no recorded person-to-person transmission.Key Facts
- The union said workers reported symptoms ranging from pinkeye and mild respiratory illness to high fever, severe cough, and body pain.
- County officials said three people were infected after exposure at a dairy.
- Yakima County health officials reported that a resident with underlying health conditions died after contracting bird flu through contact with infected cattle.
- The union said fear of immigration enforcement, limited sick pay, and inadequate protective-equipment training may discourage workers from seeking testing or reporting illness.
- The union said it had no reports indicating person-to-person transmission; it attributed infections to workplace exposure to infected animals and milk.
- The article said more than 30 dairy herds in the Yakima Valley had been affected.
- The CDC has reported more than 70 human infections in the United States since 2024, and the article said the risk to the general public remains low.
- The union said consumers face no reasonable risk from drinking pasteurized milk.
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