Across the United States, dairy farmers are putting into action a series of measures to prevent the spread of bird flu. This includes restricting visitor access, tree removal to deter wild birds from making landfall, and introducing disinfectant protocols for vehicles entering their premises. Tragically, South Dakota has emerged as the eighth state in the country to discover the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) within its dairy herd. This follows similar findings by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho, and New Mexico.
It appears that the initial cases were introduced into herds in Texas and Kansas via wild birds. Yet, the USDA has suggested that transmission among cattle could also be a possibility. In an alarming twist, it was reported that infected herds in Michigan and Ohio had received cattle directly from Texas. The first confirmed instance of this disease within a dairy herd was recorded on March 25, followed closely by the second human case in two years on April 1.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stressed that the risk to humans remains low, but states have been asked to generate plans to test and treat potentially affected farm workers.”
Yet, there is a bright spot on the horizon. While lethal to poultry, cows have shown a remarkable ability to recover from bird flu. Primary effects are seen in lactating cows, reducing milk production and prompting farmers to isolate sick animals while keeping their milk out of the food chain. Despite these challenges, U.S. milk production blossomed to almost $60 billion in 2022. There remains, still, a fear among dairy farmers of a drop-in demand for milk and cheese. This concern arose particularly after the USDA discovered bird flu presence in unpasteurized milk samples, though agricultural officials affirm that pasteurized milk remains safe.
No quarantine orders for affected dairy herds have so far been issued by the USDA, but last week suggested minimizing cattle movement. Furthermore, they recommended testing milk samples from lactating cows prior to any necessary relocation. They’ve implored producers to monitor livestock health, sequester any newly added cows, and ensure both wildlife and domestic pets, such as cats, are kept away from farm buildings to reduce the virus’s spread.
A number of state and industry officials have acknowledged the challenges posed on farmers due to uncertainties over how the virus is spreading and the exposure of open-air barns to wild birds. Idaho, North Carolina, along with more than a dozen other states that have yet to confirm cases in cattle, have imposed additional requirements on shipments to safeguard their herds. One such measure was introduced in Nebraska, where permits are now required to bring breeding dairy cows into the state, allowing for better tracking of animal movement.
Yogurt manufacturer, Danone, is currently advising suppliers to isolate any cattle that may have been exposed to the virus.
Moreover, any cases should be promptly reported to local officials.
