BIRD FLU-COWS

Bird Flu has made its way to Texas Panhandle dairies.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has primarily affected older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico, “causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.

Unpasteurized samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms, one in Texas and two in Kansas, as well as a swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for HPAI.

Initial testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, indicating the current risk to the public remains low.

Federal authorities and state and industry partners encouraged farmers and veterinarians to quickly report any instances of cattle illness.

So far, the loss of milk production resulting from symptomatic cattle has not significantly impacted the overall milk supply or affected the prices of dairy products.