As the bird flu outbreak in California dairies begins to slow, UC Merced researchers found dairy workers feeling vulnerable and undervalued, believing their health was less prioritized than that of the cows. Interviews with 30 workers revealed concerns about employer care and inadequate safety measures during the outbreak, which began in August. The study aimed to enhance understanding of the workers' experiences to improve future health responses. Despite a decrease in new human cases, out of the 38 reported, only two were unrelated to dairy workers.
When this illness (bird flu) happens with the cows, the bosses are more interested in the animals than our health," said a worker in the study identified as Manuel.
The goal of the study was to examine the experience of dairy workers during the outbreak and how it might help curb the spread of the illness to animals and humans in the future.
Since the outbreak hit California dairies in August, the bird flu has affected a majority of the state's nearly 1,000 dairies, causing operators to quarantine their herds.
There have been no new human cases since January, indicating a slowdown in the outbreak among both dairy and poultry operations.
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