Federal officials are offering $75 to dairy workers to be tested for bird flu, but advocates argue that testing positive could result in significant financial burdens for these workers. Farmworkers are at high risk of exposure to bird flu, yet they often lack health insurance and paid sick leave, making it difficult for them to seek medical treatment unless severely ill. Only two U.S. dairy workers, in Texas and Michigan, have tested positive so far, experiencing eye irritation.

USA Today noted that scientists warn that the bird flu virus could mutate to spread more easily among humans, potentially sparking a pandemic. Monitoring farmworkers could help track infections and assess their danger. However, the current passive surveillance method may miss many cases, as farmworkers rarely seek medical care.

Federal authorities have tested only 40 dairy workers for the virus, but a new program offers $75 for testing and incentives for farm owners to allow herd testing. The CDC emphasizes the importance of cooperation from dairy employees and states that the incentive compensates for workers’ time and helps monitor the virus’s spread and impact.

What caught our eye was that advocates like Elizabeth Strater from United Farm Workers are skeptical about the incentive, noting that testing positive could force workers to miss work or visit a clinic they can’t afford. Public health officials in Texas say they would provide short-term medical care but not necessarily cover hospitalization.

Farmworkers, often immigrants working in harsh conditions, fear job loss and anti-immigrant sentiment if cases rise. The CDC and other health officials stress that immigration status will not be reported. Effective protective equipment and education in workers’ languages are crucial for prevention.

Overall, while the testing program aims to monitor and control the bird flu virus, it poses significant challenges for the vulnerable dairy workers it targets.