Dairy Herd Management (video at the link)
The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu, in cattle. On Monday, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed a strain of HPAI was detected on four dairy farms, stating it believes wild migratory birds are to blame.
APHIS says additional testing was done on Friday, March 22, as well as over the weekend, after farms reported finding dead wild birds. Then, on Monday, March 25, APHIS said clinical samples of milk from sick cattle confirmed it was a strain of avian influenza.
“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,” said APHIS in a release.
“This is absolutely devastating news for Cal-Maine and the entire Panhandle region which has already suffered so much already,” Miller said in a news release. “Given this latest development, all producers must practice heightened biosecurity measures. The rapid spread of this virus means we must act quickly.”