For days, federal officials have said some New Mexico dairy cows were sick with bird flu.
On Tuesday, the state’s top veterinarian said that cows from two separate herds have been confirmed positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza and another herd has “presumptive positives,” meaning suspected positive cases.
All of the known cases are in Curry County.
“We don’t have an actual count of the cows individually,” said New Mexico State Veterinarian Samantha Uhrig. “We have a number of herds that have been confirmed.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that one New Mexican dairy had confirmed cases of avian influenza, along with five more dairies in Texas.
Also, a Texas dairy worker tested positive Monday for avian influenza A(H5N1) after being in contact with infected cows. The symptom he showed was conjunctivitis or reddened eyes. It’s the second case recorded in the U.S., according to health officials.
The Texas Health Department issued an update Tuesday, finding that three cats on the dairy farms in Texas also tested positive for HPAI.
In statements, federal health officials have emphasized that most of the public is at low risk for contracting avian influenza, but people in contact with birds and livestock are at higher risk.
In a statement, officials said the New Mexico Department of Health is managing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention efforts.
The department is using local public health offices to test dairy workers who are showing symptoms, said spokesperson David Barre. Any confirmed or probable cases will be monitored, and treated with a generic antiviral Oseltamivir, an alternative to Tamiflu.