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Recent tests have confirmed the presence of bird flu in dairy cow milk in the states of Texas and Kansas, alarming U.S. health officials as reported on Monday.
The strain identified by the Texas Animal Health Commission is the infamous Type A H5N1, which has historically caused epidemics among bird populations and occasionally spilled over to humans. This specific strain is now implicated in illness among mature dairy cattle in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico, leading to symptoms such as reduced milk production and poor appetite.
This development follows closely on the heels of an announcement from Minnesota where goats reportedly contracted bird flu amid a concurrent avian outbreak. This situation marked the first known instance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S. affecting livestock directly.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reassures the public that the commercial milk supply remains unaffected and safe for consumption. This assurance is backed by the strict dairy industry regulation that only allows milk from healthy animals into the supply chain, and by the virtue of pasteurization, which is known to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses including the influenza virus.
A USDA statement confirmed that, “At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health.”
No mutations that would suggest an increased risk of human transmission have been identified in the virus found in cattle, the federal government stated.
Concerns in Texas arose three weeks back when the Dairy Commissioner noted unusual sickness in dairy cattle which was initially dubbed “mystery dairy cow disease.” Besides a notable decrease in milk production, the cows exhibited fatigue and decreased feed intake.
The Texas Department of Agriculture initiated an investigation which included bird flu testing, according to spokeswoman Erin Robinson. The assumption is that these cattle contracted the virus from wild birds based on the test results from Texas and USDA’s findings.
Notably, affected livestock are exhibiting recovery within a week to ten days without the need to cull, unlike in poultry where entire flocks are often destroyed to control the spread. Since 2022, the U.S. has seen significant poultry losses numbering around 80 million due to avian flu outbreaks.
About 10% of milking cows are estimated to be impacted in the herds involved, reported veterinarian and biosecurity expert Michael Payne from UC-Davis. He emphasizes that this infection does not replicate the severe consequences seen in avian flocks.
The presence of bird flu in raw milk samples was confirmed from cattle in two Kansas dairies and one in Texas, along with respiratory samples from another Texas dairy operations.
Agencies including the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are actively involved in this evolving situation, with Iowa also vigilant given its sizeable dairy sector.
U.S. dairy farmers have stepped up biosecurity measures such as reducing farm access and limiting personnel presence.
Having been seen in 48 different mammal species previously, according to Payne, the transition of avian influenza to ruminants was somewhat anticipated.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
FAQs About Bird Flu in Dairy Cattle
Q: Is the milk supply safe after the bird flu outbreak?
A: Yes, milk from infected cows is not entering the commercial supply, and pasteurization effectively kills the influenza virus.
Q: Can bird flu spread from livestock to humans?
A: There’s a low risk of bird flu transmission from cattle to humans, and no mutations have been found in the current strain to suggest an increase in this risk.
Q: What measures are being taken to prevent further spread?
A: Enhanced biosecurity efforts are in place, including restricted access to farms and increased sanitation measures.
Q: How are the affected cattle being treated?
A: Unlike with poultry, affected cattle seem to recover on their own without specific medical treatment within a week to ten days.
Q: How widespread is this outbreak among dairy herds?
A: Currently, it’s estimated that about 10% of the lactating dairy cows in the affected herds are showing infection signs.
Conclusion
The confirmation of bird flu in dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas highlights a new challenge for livestock health and the dairy industry. However, with proper safeguards and no indication that the flu strain poses an increased risk to humans, the situation is being managed with heightened biosecurity measures and monitoring by health agencies. The dairy industry remains vigilant, and officials continue to emphasize that the commercial milk supply is safe for consumption.