USDA Confident in Eradicating Avian Flu in Dairy Cattle Amid Rising Skepticism
Source: The DairyNews
In response to growing skepticism about the feasibility of controlling avian influenza in dairy cattle, U.S. federal officials, led by Eric Deeble, acting senior adviser for the H5N1 response at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reaffirmed their stance on Tuesday.
Deeble conveyed on a press call that, bolstered by robust biosecurity measures and cooperative farming practices, the U.S. is positioned to eliminate the H5N1 virus from dairy herds. He attributed this confidence to investigative findings pinpointing livestock transport and shared equipment as primary transmission vectors, underscoring that no new bird-to-cow transmissions have been observed since the outbreak's inception.
Despite these assurances, external experts voice concerns over the virus's ongoing spread and the static nature of challenges, such as inadequate surveillance and limited farm cooperation. These factors, they warn, may not only perpetuate the virus but also increase the likelihood of mutations that could enhance transmissibility among humans.
The USDA has intensified its support to affected farms, which may improve participation in animal testing. Currently, over 155 herds across 13 states have reported infections, a figure that is widely considered an underestimate. This underreporting casts doubts on the authorities' grasp of the outbreak's full scale and geographic spread.
Moreover, a recent cluster of mild human H5N1 cases in Colorado has added a new dimension to the crisis. These cases, linked to individuals involved in poultry culling at a farm, might have originated from an infected dairy herd, suggesting interspecies transmission.
These developments have prompted health and agricultural officials to double down on preventive measures. Despite challenges in maintaining protective gear efficacy in demanding environments, such as hot and active milking parlors, authorities remain hopeful that strategic improvements in PPE usage and farm management practices will curb further spread.
Despite these assurances, external experts voice concerns over the virus's ongoing spread and the static nature of challenges, such as inadequate surveillance and limited farm cooperation. These factors, they warn, may not only perpetuate the virus but also increase the likelihood of mutations that could enhance transmissibility among humans.
The USDA has intensified its support to affected farms, which may improve participation in animal testing. Currently, over 155 herds across 13 states have reported infections, a figure that is widely considered an underestimate. This underreporting casts doubts on the authorities' grasp of the outbreak's full scale and geographic spread.
Moreover, a recent cluster of mild human H5N1 cases in Colorado has added a new dimension to the crisis. These cases, linked to individuals involved in poultry culling at a farm, might have originated from an infected dairy herd, suggesting interspecies transmission.
These developments have prompted health and agricultural officials to double down on preventive measures. Despite challenges in maintaining protective gear efficacy in demanding environments, such as hot and active milking parlors, authorities remain hopeful that strategic improvements in PPE usage and farm management practices will curb further spread.
