Bird flu cases are going undetected, new study suggests. It's a problem for all of us.

A new study suggests that more livestock workers may have contracted the bird flu than has been reported. The study reveals that surveillance for bird flu among farmworkers is inadequate, leading to underreporting of cases. The delayed detection of a more contagious virus strain could hinder containment efforts. The study detected prior bird flu infections in workers from two dairy farms in Texas. Despite the undercount of cases, health officials have decided against offering bird flu vaccines to farmworkers due to the low number of reported cases. The study emphasizes the need for improved surveillance and action to prevent further spread.