WASHINGTON, D.C. – A collaborative effort is underway by federal and state health and veterinary agencies to probe into a sickness affecting primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico, characterized by symptoms such as reduced milk production and low appetite.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state officials, confirmed on Monday, March 25, that dairy cows have tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This conclusion came after clinical samples of milk and oropharyngeal swabs from cattle in Kansas and Texas revealed the presence of the virus. Additional tests were prompted following the discovery of deceased wild birds on the dairy farms, suggesting the virus’s transmission from wildlife to cattle. Despite this, the risk to human health remains minimal, as no mutations increasing human transmissibility have been detected.
Federal and state entities are intensifying efforts to conduct further testing and viral genome sequencing to understand the outbreak better, including the characterization of the HPAI strain involved.
There is no current concern regarding the safety of the commercial milk supply or consumer health risks, as milk from sick animals is either diverted or destroyed, ensuring only healthy milk is processed. Pasteurization, mandatory for interstate milk commerce, effectively neutralizes harmful pathogens.
Authorities are urging farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses swiftly, facilitating monitoring and mitigation efforts. The affected dairies report an average of ten percent of their herds exhibiting symptoms, with negligible mortality. The impact on milk supply and dairy product prices is expected to be minimal.
As the situation evolves, the USDA and its partners pledge to provide timely updates and urge adherence to biosecurity measures to prevent further spread.