In March, the specter of a bird flu epidemic in dairy cows raised its ugly head after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced cases of avian influenza in dairy cows in Kansas and Texas. In April, a case was confirmed in a Curry County dairy in New Mexico.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is spread worldwide by aquatic and wild birds, according to the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since 2022, more than 800 people have tested positive for the virus in the U.S., with the vast majority of those cases occurring in 2024, according to the CDC. At least one severe case in Louisiana was reported in the past month.
“Good biosecurity is the main thing (producers can do),” New Mexico State Veterinarian Samantha Holeck said in April. “Make sure water troughs and feed boxes are clean.”
The New Mexico Livestock Board said other livestock, such as horses, beef cattle, sheep and goats, are not being impacted.
Symptoms associated with the bird flu in cattle can include loss of appetite, reduced milk production, thick colostrum-like milk, tacky feces with or without diarrhea, low-grade fever, dehydration and mild respiratory symptoms.
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
