New Study: smaXtec Bolus Detects Bird Flu Up to One Week Before Symptoms Appear

MADISON, WI [May 12, 2025] — A recently published study in the Journal of Dairy Science reveals the significant effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also known as bird flu, on a 500-cow dairy farm in Michigan. Over a 45-day period, the virus impacted nearly a third of the herd, leading to severe milk production losses, health problems, and financial strain. Many dairy farms face similar challenges, but cutting-edge technology offers a promising solution.

Researchers fr om Michigan State University (MSU) found that smaXtec boluses detected fever in cows up to a week before any visible symptoms appeared. This early detection gives farmers valuable time to intervene, initiate treatment, and significantly reduce both financial and health impacts.

“Continuous internal monitoring is crucial for smarter and more proactive herd health and biosecurity management,” said Dr. Louisa Koch, Feeding and pH Specialist at smaXtec. “We’re helping dairy farmers shift from reactive to proactive herd health management. This is the future of effective dairy herd health management.”

Internal Body Temperature: The Most Valuable Health Insight from Within

The smaXtec bolus is placed inside the cow’s reticulum, wh ere it continuously measures the cow’s internal body temperature with a remarkable accuracy of ±0.018°F. If the temperature deviates from the baseline, the system triggers real-time alerts, using artificial intelligence, well before any visible signs of illness appear.

The MSU study confirmed the effectiveness of this approach:

• Internal temperature monitoring allowed for much earlier intervention.

• Health alerts were triggered before HPAI confirmation, aligning with the timeline of the outbreak.

• Using smaXtec boluses provided better control over the situation and faster containment of the virus.

Financial and Operational Impact

The study also highlighted the financial consequences of delayed detection. Infected cows experienced a reduction of 2,235 pounds in milk production, a drop in feed intake, and a threefold increase in somatic cell counts. Full recovery took 132 days. The average loss per cow was $504, resulting in a total loss of over $79,000 on a 500-cow farm. This represents a substantial financial burden for dairy farmers.

Diseases like HPAI can have a devastating economic impact on dairy operations. Early detection through smaXtec boluses is now recognized as the gold standard in dairy herd health management, offering a means to implement early treatments, reduce damage, and speed up recovery. With technologies like smaXtec, farmers can take proactive steps to mitigate long-term damage and ensure a healthier herd and more stable business.

smaXtec – The Gold Standard in Health Management

In addition to monitoring internal body temperature, smaXtec’s boluses also track water intake, drinking cycles, rumination, and activity. Because these parameters are directly measured rather than estimated, they provide the most precise data, offering early health alerts that enable faster decision-making and improved outcomes.

The recent MSU study reinforced several important conclusions:

• Biosecurity is Critical: The study emphasized the importance of strong biosecurity measures to prevent the rapid spread of viruses and the significant economic consequences of outbreaks.

• Early Detection Tools are Key: smaXtec boluses, with their continuous temperature monitoring, play a critical role in the early detection and management of disease outbreaks.

• Prepare for Long-Term Recovery: Farmers should prepare for extended recovery periods, as it may take months for milk production and feed intake to return to normal following an outbreak. Proactive measures, such as enhanced biosecurity and investment in health management technologies, are vital for protecting herd health and ensuring economic stability.

“The sooner you know, the better you can respond,” Dr. Koch added. “This study confirms that, and smaXtec technology is making it possible.”

About smaXtec

smaXtec is a global leader in advanced dairy health monitoring, providing cutting-edge technology and premium support to dairy farmers. The intraruminal bolus continuously measures internal body temperature, rumination, water intake, drinking cycles, and activity with unmatched precision and reliability. By offering actionable insights through TruAdvice™, an artificial intelligence-driven alert system, smaXtec enables the earliest possible disease detection, reduces the need for antibiotics, and supports proactive herd health management.

For more information, visit smaXtec.com.