A few days ago, the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Texas and two herds in Kansas. Dairy organizations expressed their opinion on this matter
A statement on the occurrence of avian influenza in dairy herds in the USA was issued by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the International Dairy Products Association (IDFA), the United States Milk Export Council (USDEC) and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).
Milk safe for consumers
Importantly, the USDA has confirmed that there is no risk to human health and milk and milk products are safe for consumption. Pasteurization, i.e. high temperature treatment, kills harmful microorganisms and pathogens in milk, including the influenza virus.
Additionally, routine testing and well-established protocols for American dairy products will continue to ensure that only safe milk ends up in our food supply. Under the federal regulation on Class “A” pasteurized milk, milk from sick cows must be collected separately and must not enter the food supply chain. This means that affected dairy cows are segregated, as is normal practice in the event of any animal health problem, and their milk is not released for consumption.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Dairy producers with affected cows report the disease developing rapidly in herds, especially among older lactating cows. Clinical symptoms include:
– Sudden, sharp drop in production,
– Reduction in feed intake,
– Abnormal stools and a slight fever.
According to dairy farmers and veterinarians reporting cases of affected herds, most affected cows recover within two to three weeks.
Cattle farmers who observe clinical signs in their herd that indicate an outbreak of disease, such as significant loss of animal appetite and rumination or a sharp decline in milk production, should contact their veterinarian immediately. Veterinarians who have observed these clinical signs and have ruled out other diagnoses on the client’s farm should contact the state veterinarian and plan to submit a complete set of samples for testing at a diagnostic laboratory.
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