Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in U.S. Dairy Cows in 7 States
Source: The DairyNews
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been identified in a dairy herd in North Carolina, marking the seventh state to report infected cattle in just over two weeks. This development, unprecedented in the United States, has prompted authorities to collaborate on protocols to address this new challenge.
According to State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, while extensive measures have been established to manage HPAI in poultry, handling the virus in cattle presents novel challenges. State and federal agencies are working in tandem to develop effective response strategies.
USDA scientists have confirmed HPAI in 21 herds across seven states, with Texas reporting the highest number of affected herds, totaling nine. Concerns have arisen over the potential underreporting of infected herds in Texas, as officials suspect the actual number may be higher.
In response to the outbreak, Texas agriculture officials identified a mysterious disease affecting dairy farms in the Texas Panhandle as HPAI. Forty dairy farms reported cows displaying symptoms of the illness.
While HPAI poses a low risk to human health, this marks the first instance of the virus being detected in U.S. cattle. A dairy worker in Texas exhibited mild symptoms of HPAI, though genetic sequencing of samples suggests the virus lacks adaptations for mammalian infection.
HPAI cases have been confirmed in widely dispersed states, including Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, and North Carolina. The disease's emergence in Idaho and Michigan was traced back to cattle sourced from Texas.
To mitigate the spread of HPAI, North Carolina has suspended cattle shipments from states with confirmed cases. While the virus typically devastates bird populations, in cattle, it manifests as reduced appetite and milk production, particularly among older cows, with recovery occurring within 10 days to two weeks.
USDA scientists have confirmed HPAI in 21 herds across seven states, with Texas reporting the highest number of affected herds, totaling nine. Concerns have arisen over the potential underreporting of infected herds in Texas, as officials suspect the actual number may be higher.
In response to the outbreak, Texas agriculture officials identified a mysterious disease affecting dairy farms in the Texas Panhandle as HPAI. Forty dairy farms reported cows displaying symptoms of the illness.
While HPAI poses a low risk to human health, this marks the first instance of the virus being detected in U.S. cattle. A dairy worker in Texas exhibited mild symptoms of HPAI, though genetic sequencing of samples suggests the virus lacks adaptations for mammalian infection.
HPAI cases have been confirmed in widely dispersed states, including Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, and North Carolina. The disease's emergence in Idaho and Michigan was traced back to cattle sourced from Texas.
To mitigate the spread of HPAI, North Carolina has suspended cattle shipments from states with confirmed cases. While the virus typically devastates bird populations, in cattle, it manifests as reduced appetite and milk production, particularly among older cows, with recovery occurring within 10 days to two weeks.
