For the first time ever, the H5N1 bird flu strain has been detected among dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, becoming the first known cases of the virus in US cows.
Bird Flu Detected in US Dairy Cows
Three weeks ago, these dairy cows got sick with an illness that is similar to a cold. The cows produce less milk than normal. They also exhibited appetite loss and lethargy.
Based on unpasteurized milk samples and nose and throat swabs, it was found that these cows were infected with the H5N1 avian influenza strain. This viral strain is known to be responsible for outbreaks among domesticated and wild birds. It is also known to infect people occasionally.
Considering this new case, officials believe that wild birds could have infected the cows. There were no changes in the bird flu virus that could make it spread more to humans.
For poultry outbreaks, authorities need to cull whole flocks in order to control the viral spread. However, for the cows that tested positive, they apparently recovered on their own, without receiving treatment, within a span of seven to 10 days.
Bird flu infected roughly 10% of the lactating cows in herds that were affected. Michael Payne, biosecurity expert and food animal veterinarian from the University of California, Davis, explains that the situation does not appear like the highly-pathogenic flu among flocks of birds.
Only the milk from healthy cows in the affected farms will be included in the food supply. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the risk is considered low. Moreover, pasteurization, which is necessary for commercial milk, kills bacteria and viruses.
Bird Flu in Other Animals
This announcement comes just a week after the news of bird flu detected in goats. These goats had a shared pasture and source of water with chickens and ducks that were infected by the virus. This was on a backyard farm in Minnesota.
Brian Hoefs, the executive director of Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the state veterinarian of Minnesota, the bird flu's spread to goats stresses how the virus could possibly infect other animals on farms that house several species.
So far, the H5N1 bird flu strain has been detected in 48 species of mammals. These include skunks, foxes, seals, polar bears, and raccoons. Payne explains that it could have just been a matter of time until bird flu hit ruminants, such as cud-chewing and hoofed mammals like goats and cattle.
To date, there have been no reports of bird flu being spread from mammals to humans across the US. There have been rare instances where the infections from birds spread to people. Experts note that any infection risk is limited to individuals who are directly in contact with animals that are infected.
RELATED ARTICLE: Bird Flu To Blame for Egg Shortage, Price Hike; Avian Influenza Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
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