Bird flu has reached dairy cows in Oregon for the first time. On November 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that a herd in the state tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a severe form of bird flu. The USDA and the Oregon Department of Agriculture need to act now to contain this virus, before it reaches more farms, more animals and more people.

Since the outbreak in cattle began in March 2024, dairy herds in 22 states have been infected. Federal officials say this year has brought cases to states that had never had one before. The Oregon herd had passed its routine milk tests until this detection, a reminder that the virus can show up even where earlier testing came back clear.

Health officials say the risk to the general public is low right now, and pasteurized milk is considered safe. But farmworkers and others who spend time around infected animals face a higher risk of catching it. Americans saw during COVID-19 how much harder a virus is to stop once it gets ahead of the response. The time to act is while the risk is still low.

The USDA and the Oregon Department of Agriculture should expand bird flu testing across Oregon’s dairy farms, provide farmworkers with protective gear and free testing, and give the public clear, regular updates. Farmers who report sick animals should get real support, so no one has a reason to stay quiet.

Sign the petition to tell the USDA and Oregon leaders to contain bird flu now, while there is still time to stop it from spreading.