FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Foreign farmworkers in the U.S. are avoiding medical care due to fears of deportation, complicating efforts to prevent a potential bird flu pandemic, a health policy report found.
Dairy and poultry workers, who account for most bird flu cases in the country, are critical to prevention and detection.
But many are reluctant to seek medical help, with outreach specialists saying workers fear interacting with strangers or leaving home.
Since March 2024, at least 65 farmworkers have tested positive for bird flu, though experts warn the actual number is likely higher due to limited surveillance.
Immigration enforcement has intensified since the administration change in January, further deterring workers from seeking care or vaccinations.
Health advocates say fear transcends legal status, impacting entire Hispanic communities. “Regardless of immigration papers, people are feeling a lot of fear,” said Hunter Knapp of Project Protect Food Systems Workers.
The CDC last year launched a flu vaccine campaign targeting livestock workers to reduce the risk of dual infections from seasonal and bird flu viruses. However, vaccination rates fell after immigration raids in January, worsening the crisis.
Public health officials warn that each human bird flu case raises the risk of viral mutation, increasing the potential for a pandemic. “Every time a worker gets sick, you’re rolling the dice,” said Antonio De Loera-Brust of the United Farm Workers. “The virus doesn’t care what your immigration papers say.”