USDA Detects First H5N1 Avian Flu Case in Oregon Dairy Herd

Oregon has logged its first H5N1 avian flu detection in a dairy herd, prompting warnings from the Union Farm Workers over occupational safety.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced the detection earlier this week, marking the virus’s spread to dairy cattle in 22 states since 2024. Avian flu activity has also increased recently in Washington’s Yakima Valley.

“This detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or affect the safety of the commercial milk supply,” the USDA said in its announcement. The agency added that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration remains confident that pasteurization effectively inactivates the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

UFW staff are trying to support sick workers, but there are many barriers. Workers with milder symptoms are reluctant to be tested or miss work because sick cattle still need care. Workers are very afraid of ICE-related retaliation if they don’t follow employers instructions.

— Post by @UFWupdates on X

According to the USDA, the affected Oregon herd was tested as part of ongoing routine surveillance under the National Milk Testing Strategy program. The agency said that the new detection does not alter its current strategy, though it urged producers to report any livestock showing clinical signs or any unusual sick or dead wildlife to their state veterinarian.

In related developments, Union Farm Workers posted a statement on X late Tuesday raising concerns about human cases of H5N1 among Yakima Valley dairy workers. The union reported that cases are widely underreported because many workers are immigrants facing an ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in the region.

Bird flu detected in Oregon dairy cattle for first time, officials say — KOIN 6

“UFW staff are trying to support sick workers, but there are many barriers. Workers with milder symptoms are reluctant to be tested or miss work because sick cattle still need care. Workers are very afraid of ICE-related retaliation if they don’t follow employers’ instructions,” the Union wrote in its online statement.

Earlier this month, a Yakima County resident with underlying health condition died from H5N1, and two other residents were reported infected. All three individuals had occupational exposure to dairy cows.

The death marked the only US H5N1 death recorded this year and the third recorded since 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 74 human cases of H5N1, including three deaths, across the United States since 2024.

The union said that many additional workers are sick while being provided only goggles and gloves for handling raw milk. Symptoms reported by workers range from mild upper respiratory infections with pinkeye to severe flu symptoms accompanied by bone pain, severe cough, and high fever. The union noted no indications of human-to-human transmission, attributing the illnesses entirely to workplace exposure to infected animals and milk.

Over the last 30 days, 51 cattle herds have been hit with H5N1. In the past week, two herds in Idaho and the single herd in Oregon were identified, while Washington state has recorded 43 detections since October 8.