Avian Flu Spreads to Second Dairy in Cassia County, Idaho
Source: The DairyNews
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a second dairy herd in Cassia County, Idaho, has been affected by the avian flu, as announced late last week.
This development comes after the initial case reported in early April within the same county. According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, cows within the affected herd exhibit symptoms such as reduced milk production and thicker milk consistency.
Unlike the first instance, where the infected cows had a connection to imported cattle from Texas, this second case involves cows with no apparent link to out-of-state carriers of the virus. Federal authorities have determined that the spread of the virus is occurring through direct contact between cows, as well as transmission back to poultry and among dairy farms via cattle movements, even among asymptomatic cows.
While the Food and Drug Administration has reported finding nonviable viral evidence of the H5N1 bird flu in pasteurized milk, it maintains that milk remains safe for consumption.
As of Tuesday, the avian flu has been detected in 33 dairy herds across eight states, signaling the ongoing challenge posed by the virus within the dairy industry.
Unlike the first instance, where the infected cows had a connection to imported cattle from Texas, this second case involves cows with no apparent link to out-of-state carriers of the virus. Federal authorities have determined that the spread of the virus is occurring through direct contact between cows, as well as transmission back to poultry and among dairy farms via cattle movements, even among asymptomatic cows.
While the Food and Drug Administration has reported finding nonviable viral evidence of the H5N1 bird flu in pasteurized milk, it maintains that milk remains safe for consumption.
As of Tuesday, the avian flu has been detected in 33 dairy herds across eight states, signaling the ongoing challenge posed by the virus within the dairy industry.
