From Wild Birds to Raw Milk: Staying Ahead of the Curve for Public & Business Safety
Business continuity leaders have to constantly stay aware of possible threats to their business. This blog post describes a potential threat that is worthy of ongoing monitoring.
In early 2024, a new iteration of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ("H5N1 bird flu") began spreading in Texas and Kansas. For the first time, a virus that had been circulating for years among wild birds and poultry mutated and jumped to infect dairy cows and other animals—a cause for concern. As of early January 2025, public health experts have detected the virus in 16 states among 917 separate dairy cow herds. The virus has also been detected among poultry in all 50 states.[1]
Why is the Continued Spread of the Bird Flu a Concern for Businesses?
While public health officials maintain that the risk of the disease to the general public is low, this virus continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows and the spread shows no sign of slowing down. Instances of cats becoming infected from bird flu through exposure to raw milk from sick cattle and from drinking commercially available raw milk or eating raw pet food are now being reported. Based on the increased spread of bird flu among dairy herds in California, the Governor declared a public health emergency on December 18, 2024.
It is hard to predict what may happen next, but there is concern that if the virus continues to spread among animals, that it may change to become more easily transmissible to and among people. That would mean that we experience a bird flu pandemic, which would likely be very serious health wise and cause major disruptions to business continuity.
As of early January, 2025 there have been 66 confirmed human cases in the U.S., mostly among dairy and poultry workers. In Louisiana, a resident who had sick and dead birds in their backyard became severely ill from the virus, was hospitalized, and died. This marks the first instance of severe illness and death linked to the virus in the United States. The severity of this particular case has experts concerned. In addition, there have been a few cases where the person reported no contact with birds, cows or other animals; these cases are still under investigation to determine how these people got infected.
Currently, these viruses are not well-adapted for spreading among people, but the virus causing severe illness in Louisiana showed signs of some adaptation to humans. Every time an additional person gets infected with bird flu there is a chance that the virus can better adapt to spread among people.
A Dynamic Public Health Response
The H5N1 virus continues to spread to additional dairy herds and poultry farms in the US and the situation is dynamic, with more cases in animals and humans reported each week. On December 6, 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a new federal order that spells out a national strategy for testing milk in the wake of ongoing H5N1 avian flu outbreaks on dairy farms.
Several government agencies are taking this virus seriously, suggesting that business leaders should do the same. Public health policy is ever-changing by nature, which makes tracking the outbreak, public health recommendations and taking steps to minimize how it could affect your business a difficult, but worthwhile, task.
What Business Leaders Should Know Now
The virus may never evolve to become a large outbreak or pandemic, but business leaders need to keep a close eye on it and, just in case, ensure that their business continuity plans include strategies to manage a future influenza pandemic.
So, what does this mean for businesses?
Business continuity professionals should stay vigilant to any news of changes in this virus. Here is the CDC website with the latest information (updated weekly).
People should avoid exposure to sick or dead animals, including wild birds and poultry.
People should also avoid exposure to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized ("raw") milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.
People should not drink raw milk or consume cheese or other products made from unpasteurized milk. The virus has been found in a number of raw milk samples from several dairies recently. Pasteurization kills avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, and pasteurized milk is safe to drink.
People who have job-related contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should be aware of the risk of exposure to avian influenza viruses and should take proper precautions. They should wear appropriate and recommended personal protective equipment when exposed to an infected or potentially infected animal. The CDC has recommendations for worker protection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in people.
Although there is no evidence now that this virus is currently changing from an animal health issue to become more easily transmissible between people (which could spark another pandemic), scientists are monitoring the situation closely. HPP will conduct its own monitoring with a specific eye for potential disruptions in business continuity. If you would like assistance in updating your business continuity plans to include responding to bird flu and other viruses, please schedule a free consultation.
[1] The number of human and animal cases changes frequently. Current statistics are available at this CDC website.