Farmworkers in the U.S. are terrified to leave their homes after immigration raids, health workers say

Dairy and poultry workers account for most cases of the bird flu in the U.S. Public health workers say they're struggling to reach farmworkers because many are terrified to talk with strangers or leave home.

Outreach workers in California and other states report a similar chilling effect from immigration raids and immigration policies passed after Trump took office.

About 65 dairy and poultry workers have tested positive for the bird flu since March 2024 , but the true number of infections is higher.

A KFF Health News investigation found that patchy surveillance resulted in cases going undetected on farms last year .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported far fewer human cases since Trump took office.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deterred sick dairy workers in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula from leaving their homes for care in late January .

Outreach workers who live among farmworkers are withdrawing a little, too, too.

The CDC declined to comment on the impact of immigration actions on farmworker outreach.