Bird flu in dairy cattle: Infectious disease expert available for interview

Zoonotic disease expert can share insights and best practices to address bird flu outbreak

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International epidemiologist Donal Bisanzio, DVM, PhD, is available for media interviews regarding the recent linkage of avian influenza and the infection of dairy cows and workers across the country. A third dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu as the outbreak spreads among birds and cows in the U.S. The bird flu outbreak began in 2022 and has infected more than 90 million birds in the wild and on farms across 48 states, as well as 52 dairy herds across nine states.

As an expert in infectious diseases in humans and animals, Dr. Bisanzio can share insights and best practices from his research on Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, mpox, and Ebola, which are zoonotic diseases like the bird flu virus. As a RTI global health team member, he can speak to the methods and technologies for analyzing the spread of these diseases as well as vaccination campaigns being considered in both the U.S. and Europe. 

Recently, Dr. Bisanzio spoke to CBS News about the dangers of drinking raw milk, including increasing the risk of contracting not only bird flu, but also salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens.

His commentary has also been featured in Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, CNN, FOX News, Newsweek, Voice of America, and Wired.   

Currently, Dr. Bisanzio provides epidemiological support to several global health projects. He is skilled in field activities, statistical modeling, network analysis, geographic information systems (GIS) and many other methods and technologies for investigating the spread of infectious diseases. This research aims to help guide interventions and control measures protecting vulnerable people.

To set up an interview with Dr. Bisanzio on the bird flu outbreak, please contact RTI Media Relations.