Ferrets are seen as an important model for analyzing how viruses could affect humans as they can be infected by human flu viruses.
The H5N1 subvariant of bird flu has been increasingly reported in cattle in recent months.
Analyses of viruses found in the cows have so far not found any changes affiliated with transmission between people.
The CDC stressed that the overall human health risk of the bird flu remains low.
Unlike poultry, the cattle do not need to be culled and are expected to make a full recovery.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health noted that the risk to the public is “extremely low.”
Scientists have warned that the impact of the bird flu on Antarctic wildlife could be "immense."
Avian influenza has affected tens of millions of birds and thousands of mammals worldwide in recent years.
Researchers found about 35 penguins dead in the Falkland Islands on Jan. 19.
Since 2021, Europe and the Americas have been suffering from a nearly continuous outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza.