U.S.Dairy Cows Have Tested Positive For Bird Flu For The first Time

[TTL News 308]

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Livestock at multiple dairy farms across the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu — also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI — in an outbreak that's likely spread to at least five states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed Friday that cows in Texas, Kansas and Michigan had been sickened by the virus, and there were presumptive positive test results for additional herds in New Mexico and Idaho.

It's the first time the disease has been found in dairy cattle, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

 

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[Chris 2,162]

Well that didn't take long:

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — A human case of avian influenza A(H5N1), also known as bird flu, has been confirmed in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported Monday

The person had direct contact with dairy cattle presumed to be infected with avian influenza, the department said. Their only reported symptom was eye inflammation, and they’re now being treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir (commonly known by the brand name Tamiflu).

 

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[TTL News 308]

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The largest egg producer in the United States said Tuesday that it temporarily ceased operations at one of its Texas facilities after detecting bird flu in chickens — the latest in a steady uptick of casesamong U.S. farm animals in recent weeks.

Cal-Maine Foods said it culled about 1.6 million hens and 337,000 pullets (young hens) after some of its chickens at a Parmer County, Texas, facility tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI), caused by influenza A viruses that spread widely among wild and domestic birds.

A dairy worker in Texas was being treated for the virus that causes avian influenza, becoming only the second known human case in the United States, state and federal officials said Monday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the person tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.

 

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[Chris 2,162]

I'm pretty sure I heard this morning that it popped up in another egg production farm in... Michigan I want to say?  I'll have to keep looking for the article. 

[TTL News 308]

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Agriculture officials in at least 17 states have restricted imports of dairy cattle from states where the virus has been detected, but, so far, government agencies say it’s had little effect on commercial milk production. Officials believe cows likely have been infected by exposure to wild birds, but said cow-to-cow spread “cannot be ruled out.” 

Farmers are testing cows that show symptoms of infection, including sharply reduced milk supply and lethargy. Animals that show signs or test positive for illness are being separated from other animals on the farms. The animals appear to recover within two weeks. 

U.S. egg producers are watching the situation closely after bird flu was detected in chickens in Texas and Michigan. Millions of birds have been killed, but the FDA said the risk of affected eggs getting into the retail market or causing infections in humans is low because of federal inspections and other safeguards.

 

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