Bluestem's been following spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and now dairy cattle since the beginning of the current outbreak. My last post was May 30's HPAI digest: 3rd worker catches flu; testing not reaching workers; more MN flocks stricken.
Now cows in a Minnesota dairy herd have been stricken.
The press release from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health:
Amid uptick in poultry detections, Minnesota reports first case of avian influenza in a dairy herd
H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a Benton County dairy herd. Over the weekend the producer noticed clinical signs in only a handful of cows, the next day more than 40 cows had signs of fever. Samples collected from sick cows in the herd on Monday were sent to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory where the virus was detected. The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the results last night. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pasteurized dairy remains safe to consume.
“We knew it was only a matter of time before this detection would reach our doorstep,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Brian Hoefs. “It’s important for dairy farmers to follow the example of this herd and test sick cows. The more the animal health community can learn about this virus today through testing and research, the better we can equip ourselves to prevent infections tomorrow.”
Dairy farmers should monitor their herd and contact their veterinarian immediately if cows appear sick. HPAI symptoms in dairy mostly affect late-stage lactating cows and include fever, a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency. No matter the HPAI status of a herd, biosecurity can reduce the risk of disease spreading onto or off farms:
- Consider stopping or delaying any cow movements and test for H5N1 before you move animals.
- Milk any sick cows last, after your healthy herd.
- Keep feed covered and clean up feed spills immediately.
- Provide cows a clean source of water kept secure from wildlife, especially waterfowl.
- Talk to your herd veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness in your animals.
Dairy farms are always required to dispose of milk from sick animals to remove it from the milk supply. In addition to the affected herd disposing of milk from sick cows and isolating them, the Board quarantined the herd for 30 days to reduce the risk of disease spread off the farm. After 30 days from the last positive test result, the herd can be retested to be released from the quarantine.
The risk to the public from this virus remains low at this time. People who work with or have direct contact with infected animals could be at risk of getting sick. The Board is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on this response. MDH’s role is to monitor the health of people who have direct contact with infected animals and provide public health information and recommendations.
CDC recommends people who work with infected or potentially infected animals wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect themselves from infection. More information is available on CDC’s website. Farmers can request PPE from MDH. Symptoms of avian influenza in people may include cough, sore throat, fever, red/watery eyes or discharge from the eyes. People who have questions can contact MDH at 651-201-5414.
The Board will report any new detections and updates on cow cases in Minnesota on its website. The Board has also seen a recent rise in poultry cases in the state with eight sites positive for the virus in May. Early investigations from some of those sites reveal birds were infected with the same virus strain detected in cows across the country.
there's more background information about the disease in dairy cattle in the Bemidji Pioneer's article, Minnesota reports first case of avian flu in dairy herd; poultry cases rising. Central Minnesota Agweek's Michael Johnson reports:
...More than 80 dairy herds have been infected with the virus across 11 states since late March, and three dairy workers have tested positive for the virus.
Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina have also confirmed cases of infected dairy herds.
Dairy cows with avian flu have died or been slaughtered by farmers after not recovering , Reuters reporting found. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the vast majority of cows recover from the illness. . . .
I'll keep an eye out for more news about HPAI in poultry flocks and dairy herds.
Photo: The disease also fatally affects barn cats. A barn cat. from CIDRAP's Tests confirm avian flu on New Mexico dairy farm; probe finds cats positive,
Related posts
- HPAI digest: 3rd worker catches flu; testing not reaching workers; more MN flocks stricken
- At a Michigan dairy: CDC confirms second bird flu infection of dairy worker
- U.S. Department of Agriculture to require bird flu tests of lactating dairy cattle before transport
- How two vets discovered avian flu in dairy cows
- Sick cows news digest: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in South Dakota dairy herd
- [VIDEO] State vet briefs MN House Ag Committee on avian flu (HPAI) in dairy cows and people
- Not an April Fools' Day joke: Person in contact with HPAI infected cows in Texas catches bird flu
- Dairy cattle in Kansas and Texas catch highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) from wild birds
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health: Stevens County goat tests positive for avian influenza
- MN Board of Animal Health: HPAI confirmed in commercial Meeker County turkey flock
- MN DNR: Wild fox in Minnesota tests positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza
- In America's turkey industry, SD producers hit hardest by highly pathogenic avian influenza
- Board of Animal Health: Minnesota poultry sales and exhibitions temporarily banned for 31 days
- Board of Animal Health: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza confirmed in two Minnesota flocks
- SD Game, Fish & Parks: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detected in South Dakota
- Associated Press: Bird flu detected among commercial flock in southeastern South Dakota
- Minnesota Reformer: Menacing bird flu detected in western Iowa backyard chicken and duck flock
- Shocking photos in state vet's report to Midwest lawmakers reveal bird flu toll to farmers & flocks
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