When they get sick, the animals are separated from the herd, and their milk is not allowed for consumption
Unlike influenza in poultry, which requires the veterinary authorities to destroy all hens or ducks on the farm, influenza in cows passes without casualties.
A few days ago the Ministry of Agriculture of USA confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in two dairy herds in Texas and two herds in Kansas.
A statement regarding the outbreak of avian influenza in US dairy herds was issued by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the International Dairy Association (IDFA), the US Milk Export Council (USDEC) and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).
Importantly, the USDA has confirmed that there is no risk to human health and that milk and milk products are safe for consumption. Pasteurization, i.e. high temperature processing kills harmful microorganisms and pathogens in milk, including the influenza virus.
Additionally, routine testing and well-established protocols for American dairy products will continue to ensure that only safe milk enters our food supply. According to the federal Class “A” pasteurized milk regulation, milk from sick cows must be collected separately and must not enter the food supply chain. This means that the affected dairy cows are separated, as is normal practice in case of animal health problems, and their milk is not released for consumption.
Dairy producers with affected cows report rapid disease progression in herds, particularly among older lactating cows. Clinical symptoms include a sudden and sharp decline in production; reduced feed intake; abnormal stools; mild fever.
According to dairy farmers and veterinarians reporting cases of affected herds, most affected cows recover within two to three weeks.
Farmers who observe clinical signs in their herd that indicate an outbreak of disease, such as significant loss of appetite and animal survival or a sharp drop in milk production, should contact their veterinarian immediately. Veterinarians who have observed these clinical signs and ruled out other diagnoses on the client’s farm should contact their state veterinarian and plan to submit a complete set of samples for testing at a diagnostic laboratory.
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