The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new recommendations for medical practitioners in response to the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle across six states in the United States. At least 16 dairy herds have been affected, with one confirmed case of human infection.

Health care providers are advised to consider H5N1 infection in patients with relevant exposure history and a range of symptoms, and to treat suspected cases with the antiviral drug oseltamivir. The infected individual, who worked on a dairy farm in Texas, is recovering from mild symptoms and no secondary spread has been reported.

Despite the outbreak, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus associated with the infected cows. Dairy farms with confirmed or suspected cases are required to use personal protective equipment and destroy milk from infected animals to prevent further spread.

The Food and Drug Administration has reassured the public that pasteurization would destroy the H5N1 virus in contaminated milk, but consumption of raw milk from infected cows should be avoided as a precaution. Infected cows have been reported in multiple states, raising concerns about how the virus is spreading among cattle.

Genetic analysis of viruses from infected cows, humans, and wild birds and poultry has shown only minor genetic changes and no adaptation to infect mammals. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely and urges healthcare providers to remain vigilant in identifying and managing potential cases of H5N1 bird flu in the affected regions.