The United States has reported its first bird flu outbreak in cows. A statement from the US Department of Agriculture on Monday (March 25) said that authorities were investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
“As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI),” the statement said.
The statement added that federal and state agencies were moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI, as well as viral genome sequencing to better understand the situation.
Is it safe to consume milk?
The Department of Agriculture said that there was no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance posed a risk to consumer health.
“Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurisation has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce,” the statement added.
The department also said that federal agencies were also working with state and industry partners to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly. It added that milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products.
(With inputs from agencies)
