Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Texas Dairy Cows

U.S. regulators confirmed that avian influenza, or bird flu, has spread to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, possibly also in New Mexico, marking the first time cows have been identified with the virus. The infected cows are believed to have contracted the virus from wild birds, and while the virus was detected in unpasteurized milk samples from sick cows, officials emphasized that pasteurization kills viruses and there is little risk to the nation's milk supply.