Don't cuddle the cows! Why health experts are worried about this bizarre 'wellness trend'

According to a recent study by meditation nonprofit Art of Living, cow cuddling has earned itself a place in the top 10 wellness trends of the past year, ranking seventh overall.

Psychology Today maintains that cow cuddling belongs to the category of animal therapy and it is a practice known for reducing stress and offering relaxation and emotional comfort, as well as a general sense of wellbeing. However, the practice has concerned the health experts after a cow-to-human transmission of bird flu was confirmed in Texas.

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Reportedly, the US authorities urge caution amid confirmed bird flu in dairy herds in nine states. "Regardless of the size of operation, all dairy producers should re-double biosecurity efforts and be vigilant about monitoring for and controlling disease in their herds," a spokesperson for USDA's animal and plant health inspection service said in a statement.

Tim Boring, director of Michigan agriculture and rural development, emphasised the importance of prioritising animal and human health after one dairy herd in the state tested positive. "From a human-to-animal health standpoint, now is not a good time to cuddle cows. This is to protect the cows and people," he told news agency Reuters. Boring has also signed an emergency response order that called for improved sanitation measures at the dairy and commercial poultry farms.

Although the order does not explicitly prohibit cow-cuddling, the official is not recommending it.

"An outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows was first reported on March 25, 2024, in the United States. This is the first time that these bird flu viruses were found in cattle and incidentally, an individual was found positive for the same virus who had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas that were presumed to be infected with the virus. This is the first instance of likely mammal-to-human transmission," Dr. Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram said.

Although this trend is not present here in India, neither has the H5N1 been observed in the Indian cattle, diligence and care in our interaction with cattle and consumption of cattle products is essential, he explained.

According to Reuters, scientists have said the outbreak is likely more widespread across the nation's more than 26,000 licensed dairy farms based on findings of H5N1 particles in about 20 percent of milk samples.