Ag in the News: Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cattle

December 16, 2024

Got Bird Flu? Dairy Cows Test Positive

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been a concern for decades. It primarily affects wild birds and poultry. However, in 2024, avian flu spread to dairy cows and to humans. This brought concerns about potential impacts on animal health, the food industry, and human health.

Avian Flu in Poultry

The H5N1 strain is a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. It is the most common avian flu found in poultry in the United States. Each year numerous countries have outbreaks in domestic birds, leading to the culling of millions of chickens, turkeys, and ducks. These outbreaks significantly lower farmers income and can disrupt the national supply chain for poultry products.

Avian Flu in Dairy Cows

In early 2024, H5N1 was detected in dairy cows and marked the first time avian flu was found in cattle. The outbreak  grew and as of December 11th, 2024 there are 16 states, 774 herds, and 832 confirmed cases of avian flu in dairy cows. Symptoms of the virus have included decreased milk production, fever, and loss of appetite in affected cows. Milk from the cows has also tested positive for avian flu but only in raw, unpasteurized milk.

Avian Flu in Humans

Although avian flu in dairy cows and milk are enough to be concerned about, there have been several human cases of H5N1 reported in 2024. These cases were mainly in individuals who had been exposed to infected poultry or dairy cows. Although the risk to the general public remains low, these cases highlight the potential for the virus to jump species and cause human illness.

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And Another Thing 07 Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cows

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