Ongoing H5N1 research raises more questions about dairy farm spread

Researcher says he remains unable to explain exactly how the virus is spreading from one farm to the next.

August 27, 2026

H5N1 avian influenza virus illustration with red text label and 3D virus particle model

JegasRa | BigStock.com

Researchers trying to understand H5N1 say it remains unclear how the virus spreads among dairy cows despite attempts to monitor active outbreaks on multiple farms.

According to a study in the May issue of PLOS Biology, a multi-university effort to collect and analyze data from California dairy farms in late 2024 found infectious H5N1 virus airborne in milking parlors and in wastewater on H5N1-positive farms — suggesting multiple potential means of transmission. At least one viral strain identified during the study appeared capable of infecting humans, the study said.

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