Cow Care in Crisis: H5N1 Bird Flu's Impact on California Dairies

Summer heat and a vicious virus are proving a dangerous combination for California's dairy industry. Dead cows and calves pile up along roadsides in Tulare County, with swarms of flies and circling birds awaiting their turn. Since the H5N1 bird flu virus hit California in August, 124 dairy herds and 13 workers have been affected. The virus, which targets cows' mammary tissues, is not slowing down. Rendering companies report a surge in dead cows, with one worker collecting 20-30 bodies from a single farm in a day. For farmers like Brandon Mendonsa, the financial and emotional toll is immense; he's lost 28 cows, amounting to $60, 000. Younger cows, often going through their second lactation cycle, are hardest hit. The virus, informally dubbed "cow COVID, " has led to a significant drop in milk production, causing concern for the farmers' livelihoods. However, the virus' impact among dairy workers is also worrying, with many being immigrants who fear job loss if they report symptoms. Despite the bleak scene, experts reassure that the risk to public health is low.