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New Post: Bird flu spreads to dairy cows in Idaho, Michigan and New Mexico -A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and... A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and New Mexico, federal officials said Friday.Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported incorrectly that presumptive positive tests had also been found in Ohio.The presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza — commonly known as HPAI — has been confirmed in a Michigan dairy herd that recently received cows from Texas, according to a statement Friday from the USDA.The virus strain found in Michigan is similar to a strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas that appears to have been introduced by wild birds, the USDA statement said.“Spread of symptoms among the Michigan herd also indicates that HPAI transmission between cattle cannot be ruled out,” according to the USDA statement.Initial testing has not identified changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, according to the USDA.“While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low,” the agency statement said.Idaho officials announced Thursday that avian flu was detected at a dairy cattle farm in Cassia County after the facility recently imported livestock from another state that had identified HPAI in cows. It did not provide details.But in an interview, state veterinarian Scott Leibsle said avian flu was detected in the Idaho cattle after the farm imported cows from a Texas herd that had shown symptoms of HPAI.“Cow-to-cow transmission is definitely playing a role in how this disease progresses. To what extent, we don’t know yet,” Leibsle said. It’s clear that infected wild birds spread the disease to herds in Texas and Kansas, he said. “But the herd of cattle that came up from Texas to Idaho, the birds didn’t follow,” the state veterinarian said.Federal officials are monitoring closely and have advised veterinarians and producers to practice good biosecurity, test animals if they have to be moved, minimize animal movements and isolate sick cattle from the herd.The USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the illness among dairy cows, which is causing decreased milk production, low appetite and other symptoms.Federal officials are also working with stat

New Post: Bird flu spreads to dairy cows in Idaho, Michigan and New Mexico -A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and... A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and New Mexico, federal officials said Friday.Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported incorrectly that presumptive positive tests had also been found in Ohio.The presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza — commonly known as HPAI — has been confirmed in a Michigan dairy herd that recently received cows from Texas, according to a statement Friday from the USDA.The virus strain found in Michigan is similar to a strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas that appears to have been introduced by wild birds, the USDA statement said.“Spread of symptoms among the Michigan herd also indicates that HPAI transmission between cattle cannot be ruled out,” according to the USDA statement.Initial testing has not identified changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, according to the USDA.“While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low,” the agency statement said.Idaho officials announced Thursday that avian flu was detected at a dairy cattle farm in Cassia County after the facility recently imported livestock from another state that had identified HPAI in cows. It did not provide details.But in an interview, state veterinarian Scott Leibsle said avian flu was detected in the Idaho cattle after the farm imported cows from a Texas herd that had shown symptoms of HPAI.“Cow-to-cow transmission is definitely playing a role in how this disease progresses. To what extent, we don’t know yet,” Leibsle said. It’s clear that infected wild birds spread the disease to herds in Texas and Kansas, he said. “But the herd of cattle that came up from Texas to Idaho, the birds didn’t follow,” the state veterinarian said.Federal officials are monitoring closely and have advised veterinarians and producers to practice good biosecurity, test animals if they have to be moved, minimize animal movements and isolate sick cattle from the herd.The USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the illness among dairy cows, which is causing decreased milk production, low appetite and other symptoms.Federal officials are also working with stat

New Post: Bird flu spreads to dairy cows in Idaho, Michigan and New Mexico -A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and... A highly virulent bird flu first detected in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas this week has spread to additional herds, bringing the number of affected states to five and adding evidence the virus may be spreading cow-to-cow. The strain has been confirmed in Michigan, and presumptive positive tests have been reported from Idaho and New Mexico, federal officials said Friday.Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported incorrectly that presumptive positive tests had also been found in Ohio.The presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza — commonly known as HPAI — has been confirmed in a Michigan dairy herd that recently received cows from Texas, according to a statement Friday from the USDA.The virus strain found in Michigan is similar to a strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas that appears to have been introduced by wild birds, the USDA statement said.“Spread of symptoms among the Michigan herd also indicates that HPAI transmission between cattle cannot be ruled out,” according to the USDA statement.Initial testing has not identified changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, according to the USDA.“While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low,” the agency statement said.Idaho officials announced Thursday that avian flu was detected at a dairy cattle farm in Cassia County after the facility recently imported livestock from another state that had identified HPAI in cows. It did not provide details.But in an interview, state veterinarian Scott Leibsle said avian flu was detected in the Idaho cattle after the farm imported cows from a Texas herd that had shown symptoms of HPAI.“Cow-to-cow transmission is definitely playing a role in how this disease progresses. To what extent, we don’t know yet,” Leibsle said. It’s clear that infected wild birds spread the disease to herds in Texas and Kansas, he said. “But the herd of cattle that came up from Texas to Idaho, the birds didn’t follow,” the state veterinarian said.Federal officials are monitoring closely and have advised veterinarians and producers to practice good biosecurity, test animals if they have to be moved, minimize animal movements and isolate sick cattle from the herd.The USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the illness among dairy cows, which is causing decreased milk production, low appetite and other symptoms.Federal officials are also working with stat

Ranchers Need to Test their Herds NOW for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and State veterinary and public health officials all are investigating the latest (actually ongoing) outbreak of HPAI, commonly known as "bird flue." The disease already has forced poultry farmers in the United States to slaughter entire flocks and earlier this year prompted a spike in the price of eggs. More than 82 million commercial poultry and backyard flocks have been affected since early 2022, according to data from the CDC. In 2023, USDA paid poultry producers more than $500 million dollars for the turkeys, chickens and egg-laying hens they were forced to kill after the avian influenza strain H5N1 was detected on their farms. Most recently, bird flu has infected dairy cows in eight states so far: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas). This month, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services reported at least one person in Texas contracted novel avian influenza A(H5N1) after having close contact with infected dairy cows. Human infections with avian influenza A viruses, including A(H5N1) viruses, are uncommon but have occurred sporadically worldwide. CDC has been monitoring for illness among people exposed to H5 virus-infected birds since outbreaks were first detected in U.S. wild birds and poultry in late 2021. Human illnesses with H5N1 bird flu have ranged from mild (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe illness (e.g., pneumonia) that have resulted in death in other countries. What does this mean for America's ranchers and dairies? While pasteurization continues to be a significant firewall against transmission of the disease to the nation's dairy products, steps must be taken NOW to protect America's meat and milk supplies. While the first cases appear to have been introduced to herds in Texas and Kansas by wild birds, the USDA reports that transmission among cattle also was a risk. Agricultural officials in Michigan and Ohio have reported that infected herds in those states received cattle from Texas, further supporting concerns over cow-to-cow transmission. Specific recommendations relating to biosecurity, monitoring of symptomatic animals, protective movement of cattle, and rancher/worker safety are accessible online at: https://lnkd.in/eJGvdEyZ

A CONCERNING UPDATE TO MY EARLIER POST . . . . Over this past few days, additional testing confirmed three more herds in Michigan, Texas, and Kansas are infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, raising the U.S. total to 32 herds. Avian influenza, or "bird flu," is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains are deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. Since 2021, it has been a major threat to America's poultry industry, as well as animal health, trade, and the economy worldwide. This year, the disease has migrated into bovine herds. This is especially dangerous for beef ranchers and dairy farmers. The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ((APHIS) works closely with States, farmers and ranchers, and others to carry out avian influenza prevention and control programs. These programs provide uniform standards  to prevent and control H5/H7 avian influenza in flocks of all sizes, including commercial flocks, household flocks, and live bird markets. The Uniform Standards for Prevention and Control of H5 and H7 Avian Influenza in the Live Bird Marketing System are accessible online at: https://lnkd.in/gJbTiWeQ Sadly, that scope of service has now expanded to include bovine herds. APHIS coordinates bird flu interdiction programs for farmers and ranchers and responds quickly to assist in containing and eliminating avian influenza when findings occur.  Each U.S. State and Territory should have an Initial State Response and Containment Plan (sometimes referred to as an ISRCP or Low Path Plan) that indicates procedures for responding to a bird flu detection. Information regarding the ISRCP can be obtained online at: https://lnkd.in/g2Uphdeb Anyone facing a possible HPAI outbreak should consult the Emergency Response information and guidance provided by APHIS. Tools and resources to prepare for and respond to an outbreak of this disease are accessible online at: https://lnkd.in/gvzZqxxB #HPAI; #birdflu; #birdinfluenza; #APHIS; #herdinfection

ANOTHER UPDATE ON BIRD FLU AND AMERICA'S BOVINE HERDS . . . To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures, effective Monday, April 29, 2024: Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle *** Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. *** Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing. *** Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS. These steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle. For other classes of dairy cattle, similar testing protocols may be required by future USDA/APHIS orders, based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile. Mandatory Reporting *** Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS. *** Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS. The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action. Requiring positive test reporting will help USDA better under this disease, and testing before interstate movement will limit its spread. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just released an update on the ongoing work to ensure continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. Based on the information and research currently available to federal agencies, FDA and USDA believe that America's commercial milk supply is safe because of both the pasteurization process and the required diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows. Pasteurization has continuously proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk. That said, both FDA and USDA continue to collect and evaluate additional data and information specific to avian influenza in dairy cattle, and to support state counterparts as this emerging disease in dairy cattle is managed. BOTTOM LINE: This is a serious situation, especially for ranchers and dairy farmers. More guidelines will likely be issued as efforts continue to better understand the virus' contagion pattern, and interdict its spread. STAY TUNED! #birdflu; #H5N1 #avianinfluenza #infectedcows; #dairycattle #USDA #APHIS

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in collaboration with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has confirmed three new cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in Iowa. These cases involve a commercial layer flock in Sioux County, a commercial turkey flock in Worth County, and a backyard mixed-species flock in Monona County. This brings the total number of H5N1 HPAI detections in Iowa poultry to 11 for the year 2024. H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. While wild birds can carry the virus without appearing sick, it is often fatal to domestic birds like chickens and turkeys. Notably, the virus can also impact dairy cattle; in June 2024, 13 cases were detected in Iowa dairy herds. With supportive care, these herds typically recover with limited or no mortality associated with the disease. The Department is urging poultry producers and dairy farmers to enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds. Resources on biosecurity practices are available on the Department's website. If signs of H5N1 HPAI are observed in birds, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately and report potential cases to the Department at (515) 281-5305. Despite these outbreaks, it remains safe to consume eggs and poultry products, provided they are handled properly and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to believe that the threat to the general public remains low. https://lnkd.in/gzeVzQRR

New biosecurity threats? Jeff Bender DVM, who directs the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Minnesota and is a professor and hospital epidemiologist at the university's School of Public Health, told Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) News that infected wild birds—already identified as the source of the virus—raise big questions about biosecurity on farms going forward. We also need to be watching cats and other wildlife that are frequently found around livestock facilities for any illnesses or unexplained deaths. Removing or draining water sources on farm fields might be an option, but Bender said that would be difficult and impractical. Joe Armstrong, DVM at U of M said it will be hard to keep birds out of barns and birds and livestock separate. "Because we know a little bit about how this virus acts, we also need to be watching cats and other wildlife that are frequently found around livestock facilities for any illnesses or unexplained deaths," he added. Has avian flu in cattle been flying under the radar? Thijs Kuiken DVM, PhD, with the department of viroscience at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, said serologic studies in cattle would help clarify if past epidemics in cattle were missed in different parts of world, including parts of Europe that had a high burden of illnesses in wild birds and poultry. Like Armstrong, Kuiken also wonders if the cows' symptoms are solely due to HPAI. "Past human influenza virus infections in dairy cattle were associated with a so-called 'milk drop syndrome,' which has some similarity to the clinical signs of the currently observed 'mystery disease,'" he said in an e-mail. From a virologist's perspective, Kuiken said the findings raise several more questions, such as whether the HPAI samples from cattle in Texas and Kansas are closely related to each other or suggest separate introductions. Past human influenza virus infections in dairy cattle were associated with a so-called 'milk drop syndrome.' Bender and Kuiken said another question is whether the virus can spread from cow to cow or if cows are more likely to contract the virus from a shared source such as contaminated water or feed or pastures contaminated by infected wild birds. Kuiken also said scientists will be looking for any differences between the virus that infected wild birds on the farm and those that infected cows in terms of the ability to infect cattle, other than obvious mutations for mammalian adaptation. Was there live virus in milk? Federal health officials and veterinary experts have emphasized that the risk to human health is low, due to milk pasteurization, which inactivates bacteria and viruses, and strong safeguards in place to prevent milk from sick cows from entering commerce. Armstrong said the possibility that that infectious virus might be in milk from sick cows is another reason to avoid drinking raw milk.

New Post: Bird flu on the move. Here are the different strains around the world – National - https://lnkd.in/gM9NTBxB Avian influenza, or bird flu, has public health officials on alert after an unprecedented spread in dairy cows in the United States this year. Four dairy workers have also tested positive in the country. A particularly severe variant of the H5N1 strain has been spreading around the world in animals since 2020, causing lethal outbreaks in commercial poultry and sporadic infections in other species from alpacas to house cats. Until this year, it had never infected cows.Different bird flu strains have been found in Australia and Mexico in humans, while different H5 subtypes are also present around the world in both animals and humans, in countries including China and Cambodia. 1:36 Infectious disease physicians issue bird flu guidance for Canada Most of the human cases reported exposure to poultry, live poultry markets, or dairy cattle prior to infection, but scientists are worried the virus could mutate in ways that make it more easily spread from person-to-person, which could spark a pandemic. The World Health Organization says the risk to people is low at this point. Story continues below advertisement Below are occurrences of varying types of the bird flu virus that have been found in humans this year.The first known cases of infected dairy cattle occurred in Texas in March, and is now in dairy herds in 12 states. The U.S. Agriculture Department said tests so far indicate that the virus detected in cows is the same H5N1 virus affecting wild birds and commercial poultry flocks. The four dairy workers who have tested positive for the virus this year had mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis, or pink eye.The H5N1 virus in the United States belongs to the clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13, a genotype detected only in North America so far, the European Food Safety Agency said in a scientific report. 2:26 Health Matters: Fourth U.S. dairy worker contracts bird flu A resident of Mexico died with the first known cases of H5N2 avian influenza in humans, the WHO said on June 5. Mexico’s government said chronic illness, rather than bird flu, was the cause of death. The person had no known exposure to animals. Story continues below advertisement The WHO on June 7 said a child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia had traveled to Kolkata, India. Genetic sequencing showed the virus was a subtype of H5N1 and part of a strain that circulates in Southeast Asia and has b

Alpacas sick, more sick cows [dairy herds], and an ever growing number of dead cats [farm, feral, or even Mountain lions], dead birds, and other deaths in the USA and worldwide. This and more is discussed in CIDRAP' article titled, "Alpacas infected with H5N1 avian flu in Idaho". Not to be outdone, there are other articles that claim that the virus has mutated [AKA adapted more to humans] between the two human farm worker cases in two states [Tx & Michigan], while testing has been impeded. Meanwhile, some are doing their very best to downplay evidence, or even to hinder testing. In addition, another article in "Recalling how important it was to link the dead and missing cats to some of the infected dairy herds, she’s concerned that all veterinarians...are aware of just how infectious and mutable this particular virus is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Division reported three new cases in cats on April 25 and state officials reported a fourth case on April 26... were found at two dairy farms in... New Mexico, and all of them died, according to the state’s Agriculture Department. The fourth case was found at a dairy farm in... Ohio. The cats reportedly had neurologic signs and a rapid decline before dying." Also in CIDRAP, we have this "...Sam Scarpino, PhD,...said, "The new pre-print shows convincingly that cows harbor both human-flu and avian-flu receptors in their mammary glands. As a result, dairy cattle *may* have similar potential as pigs to serve as evolutionary intermediaries between avian and human flus." Despite all this, more people are drinking raw milk, feeding it to cats & pets, and even purposely seeking it out. ["With bird flu found in dairy cows, experts warn raw milk poses danger to pets"] I have a close relative in NY, that I alerted them to the dangers, who is actually seeking to drive a few hundred miles to another state to purposely feed raw milk to his kids...in part as a statement to reject government recommendations. In AVMA's article "Diligent detective work leads to discovery of HPAI in dairy cattle", "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Division reported three new cases in cats on April 25 and state officials reported a fourth case on April 26. Three of the new cases in cats were found at two dairy farms in Curry County, New Mexico, and all of them died, according to the state’s Agriculture Department. The fourth case was found at a dairy farm in Wood County, Ohio. The cats reportedly had neurologic signs and a rapid decline before dying." https://lnkd.in/gnja2z6A Main points: In conclusion, Avian-Bird-Cow-Cat-N- Flu [H5N1] is found in more locations, even with sporadic testing. It is evolving in many ways, it is adapting to more species, it is growing in range, & severity, while misinformation & myth increases.