State and federal animal health officials are investigating a contagious illness on dairies across the Southwest.
The first cases were reported several weeks ago in Texas and have since spread to Kansas and New Mexico. Symptoms include a sudden loss of appetite, decreased milk production, thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk, reduced rumen motility, abnormal tacky or loose feces, and fever.
Affected herds have observed that older cows in their second or greater lactation at more than 150 days in milk are more severely impacted than younger cows, fresh cows, or heifers. Dry cows, steers, and heifers do not appear to be affected.
According to news reports, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners estimates that 5 percent to 10 percent of the herd is affected. Most affected cows recover within two to three weeks, while others do not fully or quickly bounce back. However, some herds have reported secondary infections, including pneumonia and clinical mastitis.
Although this illness is not fatal to cows, those that do not recover in milk production are culled. Currently, there is no known diagnosis or cause for this health issue. Federal and state animal health officials, private veterinarians, and affected dairy farms are investigating the issue.
Erin Robinson, director of communications for the Texas Animal Health Commission, told Brownfield, “We are doing the best we can with the information the industry is willing to provide.” The TAHC is collaborating with the USDA, Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, dairy veterinarians, and other partners to monitor and evaluate affected dairy cattle, develop a case definition, and conduct additional diagnostics. Robinson added, “We are all working diligently to find answers.”
So far, diagnostic testing has shown no evidence of reportable or foreign animal disease, and there is no evidence of disease in any other species, including humans, from direct contact or consumption of food products.
As required by the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, abnormal milk must be collected separately and cannot be sold for human consumption. Additionally, all dairy cattle are subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act and must be slaughtered and processed under USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection to ensure that all meat entering the food supply has been inspected and approved for human consumption.
Since the illness affects multiple farms and spreads quickly, dairy farmers are encouraged to implement enhanced biosecurity measures. This includes limiting the amount of traffic into and out of their properties and restricting visits to employees and essential personnel only.
Dairy farmers should review biosecurity protocols using guidance and industry resources, such as FARM Biosecurity. Dairy farmers are asked to be vigilant in observing for symptoms, such as loss of appetite and a sudden drop in milk production. They should contact their veterinarian if they observe any unusual animal conditions.
Veterinarians who observe these clinical signs and have ruled out other diagnoses on a client’s farm should contact their state veterinarian and follow the provided guidelines, including submitting a complete set of samples to be tested at a diagnostic laboratory.
Veterinarians in Texas may call Dr. Alexis Thompson at TVMDL-Canyon, (806) 651-7478, to make case-specific diagnostic plans and receive guidance on sample collection. State and federal animal health experts are all working to diagnose the observed health issues to determine a cause, hopefully leading to guidance on control measures and treatment protocols.