A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that blood samples from veterinarians showed evidence of past bird flu infections, even though the practitioners had no symptoms and were unaware of any potential exposure. The findings, published Thursday, underscore concerns that there may be unrecognized cases of bird flu in both people and animals across different states.
In September 2024, the CDC tested blood samples from 150 veterinarians who work with dairy cattle, specifically looking for bird flu antibodies that could indicate previous infections. The samples were collected alongside a survey that asked about their potential exposure to cattle over the previous three months, as well as any other contacts with animals since January 2024.
At the time of sampling, bird flu had already been detected in dairy cattle across 14 U.S. states, and there had been four confirmed human cases related to dairy cattle exposure in three states. As of Thursday, 68 human cases had been reported across 11 states, with most cases linked to dairy cattle, poultry farms, culling operations, and other animal-related activities. The majority of these cases have been mild, with patients recovering following antiviral treatment.
Among the veterinarians tested, three were found to have antibodies for the bird flu virus, indicating previous infections. None of the three reported experiencing respiratory symptoms or influenza-like illness, nor had they sought influenza testing since January 2024.
The veterinarians in question worked with various animal species, including dairy and non-dairy cattle, and one also handled poultry. Notably, none of the practitioners had worked directly with dairy cattle known or suspected to be infected with bird flu, although one had come into contact with poultry that tested positive for the virus.
While all three practitioners reported using gloves or protective clothing while caring for animals, none used respiratory or eye protection. One veterinarian, who practiced in Georgia and South Carolina, worked in areas with no known bird flu cases in cattle or reported human infections.
These findings raise concerns that there could be undetected cases of bird flu in dairy cattle in regions where the virus has not yet been identified. The CDC emphasized the importance of rapid identification and testing of infected herds, particularly through bulk milk and herd testing, as recently recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The CDC report also underscores the need for ongoing surveillance of asymptomatic workers who may have been exposed to bird flu, suggesting that such individuals might be missed in standard symptom-based monitoring.
This report follows a significant development in the bird flu crisis, as the USDA recently confirmed the first detection of a new strain of the virus, D1.1, in dairy cows. Previously, this strain had only been detected in wild birds and poultry, suggesting a recent spread to cattle.
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