The circulating HPAI virus has been identified as a contributing cause of illness in dairy cattle in several states (See press release below from USDA APHIS). At this time, no cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle have occurred in Pennsylvania, and the infection has not been found in beef cattle. Biosecurity continues to be our best tool to prevent introduction of this virus into domestic animals, including poultry and cattle. If you visit a mixed-species premises, please share this information with producers, and remind them that influenza viruses have the potential to jump species. The Secure Milk Supply Plan and the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program have biosecurity resources and templates for dairy cattle. Based on what is known about the current situation and spread of HPAI in general, biosecurity efforts should focus on: Preventing contact of dairy cattle with wild birds, especially waterfowl Preventing access of free roaming animals to dairy cattle Protect your herd’s feed and water from wild bird droppings, rodents, and other animals which may carry the virus into the feed and water. Clean up feed spills promptly Report dead bird sightings to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453) Maintain a Line of Separation: Clean shoes or boots are very important to reduce the risk of carrying bird droppings into your dairy. Prevent traffic-human, equipment, and other vehicles from crossing the LOS without being properly cleaned and disinfected. Make sure any poultry on your premises are securely penned up, protected from wild waterfowl and separate from other species. AVIAN INFLUENZA (34): USA (TEXAS, KANSAS, NEW MEXICO) HPAI, COWS **************************************************************** Date: Mon 25 Mar 2024 Source: USDA APHIS [edited] https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2024/hpai-cattle
Wild migratory birds believed to be source of infection; viral testing and epidemiologic efforts continueCommercial milk supply remains safe due to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials, are investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
As of Mon 25 Mar [2024], unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from 2 dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Additional testing was initiated on Fri 22 Mar [2024] and over the weekend because farms have also reported finding deceased wild birds on their properties. Based on findings from Texas, the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds. Initial testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, which would indicate that the current risk to the public remains low.
Federal and state agencies are moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI, as well as viral genome sequencing, so that we can better understand the situation, including characterization of the HPAI strain or strains associated with these detections.
At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce.
Federal agencies are also working with state and industry partners to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly so that we can monitor potential additional cases and minimize the impact to farmers, consumers, and other animals. For the dairies whose herds are exhibiting symptoms, on average about 10 percent of each affected herd appears to be impacted, with little to no associated mortality reported among the animals. Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply, and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products.