Communicating about the threat that H5N1 poses is extraordinarily difficult, as the varying tones of the media coverage of the bird-flu-in-cows situation may have conveyed. Some of the experts quoted in some of the reports are clearly on edge. Others are uncertain; some seem keen to play down the situation .

The state now has 11 cases of people catching the virus, as health officials monitor any further spread from poultry and livestock.

State health officials are confirming six human cases of the H5 bird flu, with five more potential cases awaiting official results.

The risk to the general public from bird flu remains low and pasteurized dairy products are safe to consume, federal officials have said.