Central Valley Dairy Farmers Alarmed by Rapid Spread of Avian Flu Among Cows
Source: DairyNews.today
Dairy farmers in California’s Central Valley are raising alarms as cases of avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu, continue to rise among dairy cattle. The Fresno County Farm Bureau confirms that over 100 dairy facilities across the state, primarily in the Central Valley, have detected probable or confirmed cases of the virus, which is typically associated with birds but has now spread to bovine populations.
“This is unprecedented for our dairy industry,” stated Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen. “Two farmers I spoke with both said they’ve never seen anything like this in their entire careers.” The contagious nature of the H5N1 strain has fueled concerns, with farmers reporting rapid virus transmission within facilities. According to Jacobsen, “Cases can double every single day once the virus is on a facility, making containment a serious challenge.”
The avian flu outbreak, first identified in dairy cows on October 11, has raised numerous questions among farmers. Tulare County dairy farmer Preston Fernandes described his shock after milk samples from his farm tested positive for the virus. “This came as a surprise to many of us,” he said, noting that farmers are still uncertain about how the virus is transmitted between cows.
While the illness presents with symptoms such as fever and dehydration, exacerbated by recent warm temperatures, there is currently no risk to the public. Jacobsen emphasized that the pasteurization process effectively neutralizes avian influenza, ensuring that dairy products remain safe for consumers. “There’s no danger to the public when buying milk or other dairy products,” he assured.
Despite this, the avian flu has caused substantial disruption to dairy operations, with infected cows experiencing significant drops in milk production. Even after recovery, cows often do not regain their previous production levels. “For some dairies, it could take six months to a year to fully restore their production capacity,” Jacobsen explained, highlighting the long-term economic impact on affected farms.
Looking ahead, dairy farmers are bracing for further challenges, with concerns that the virus may mutate and become transmissible to humans. “Our biggest worry now is whether it could start spreading from bovine to human, which could drastically change the public health landscape,” Jacobsen added.
As the situation develops, California dairy farmers are working closely with agricultural authorities to manage the outbreak, protect livestock, and mitigate potential risks to both industry sustainability and public health.
The avian flu outbreak, first identified in dairy cows on October 11, has raised numerous questions among farmers. Tulare County dairy farmer Preston Fernandes described his shock after milk samples from his farm tested positive for the virus. “This came as a surprise to many of us,” he said, noting that farmers are still uncertain about how the virus is transmitted between cows.
While the illness presents with symptoms such as fever and dehydration, exacerbated by recent warm temperatures, there is currently no risk to the public. Jacobsen emphasized that the pasteurization process effectively neutralizes avian influenza, ensuring that dairy products remain safe for consumers. “There’s no danger to the public when buying milk or other dairy products,” he assured.
Despite this, the avian flu has caused substantial disruption to dairy operations, with infected cows experiencing significant drops in milk production. Even after recovery, cows often do not regain their previous production levels. “For some dairies, it could take six months to a year to fully restore their production capacity,” Jacobsen explained, highlighting the long-term economic impact on affected farms.
Looking ahead, dairy farmers are bracing for further challenges, with concerns that the virus may mutate and become transmissible to humans. “Our biggest worry now is whether it could start spreading from bovine to human, which could drastically change the public health landscape,” Jacobsen added.
As the situation develops, California dairy farmers are working closely with agricultural authorities to manage the outbreak, protect livestock, and mitigate potential risks to both industry sustainability and public health.