The United States has reported the first bird flu outbreak in cows. According to a statement released by the US Department of Agriculture on Monday (March 25), authorities are examining an ailment affecting predominantly older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico, which is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
“As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cows collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI),” the statement said.
The message went on to say that federal and state agencies were working fast to undertake further HPAI testing, as well as viral genome sequencing, to better understand the problem.
Is it safe to drink milk?
According to the Department of Agriculture, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply, nor does this situation endanger consumer health.
“Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce,” the statement added.
The government also stated that federal agencies were collaborating with state and industry partners to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cows’ ailments promptly. It went on to say that milk loss caused by symptomatic animals has been too little to have a significant influence on supply and that milk or other dairy product prices should remain unchanged.