Updated 4/8/24:
A recording of the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University’s presentation “What Dairy Industry/Consumers should know about the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnWeh_zafV4
Please see below for a list of resources, which were shared during the session.
Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/news/testing-cattle-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai
CDC-H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm
USDA-Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock
CDC- Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm
CDC- Preparing food https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/prevention.htm#anchor_1647619692755
Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY
https://cals.cornell.edu/pro-dairy
USDA-General Influenza Biosecurity
www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/vs-hpai-biosecurity.pdf
USDA-Influenza Biosecurity Specific to Dairy Herds
https://securemilksupply.org/training-materials/biosecurity/
The National Dairy FARM Program (NDFP) biosecurity resources https://nationaldairyfarm.com/resource-library/farm-program/?_program=biosecurity
FDA-Questions and Answers Regarding Milk Safety During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks
https://www.fda.gov/food/milk-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/questions-and-answers-regarding-milk-safety-during-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreaks#rawmilkcheese
CDC-Self-Observation for Illness for Responders to Poultry Outbreaks of Avian Influenza https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/demobilizing-responders.htm
2024 Cornell Food Science Extension course catalogue:
Originally published: 4/3/24: This blog entry is from an update written by Dr. Rob Lynch of Cornell PRO-DAIRY and contains information from the CDC of the status of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in dairy cattle, as well as new biosecurity recommendations from the USDA, AABP, NMPF, and NYS Ag & Markets.
As you read through the information below, please keep in mind:
- State animal health officials in Michigan, Idaho and Ohio have confirmed that the positive herds in their state had received animals from herds in Texas. If you are currently shipping youngstock out of state or receiving animals from other states, please review your biosecurity plan with your veterinarian and check the link below for biosecurity guidelines.
- HPAI experts also stress that early detection is incredibly important to decrease risk of spread. So, since the clinical signs that we are seeing with this disease are pretty general, communicating any concerns with your vet as soon as they’re seen could make a big difference in how this affects us industry-wide.
Additional details and resources for how to manage this evolving situation can be found here: Dairy Biosecurity Recommendations-HPAI-more_March2024_FINAL
HPAI Spanish Update_4.4.24.MOV – Spanish Resource to inform Spanish speaking employees.
As you are likely aware, the dairy cow health situation that started in the Texas panhandle now has Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) identified as the cause, or at least playing a significant role. Below is a case description of affected cows on those dairies, news from Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) regarding the diagnosis of HPAI in a dairy worker from one of the affected herds, and some new biosecurity recommendations from American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Confirmed States with HPAI in Dairy Cattle: Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, and Idaho have confirmed cases of HPAI in dairy cattle. A case in Ohio is presumptive positive, but awaiting confirmation). Additional diagnostics are ongoing. Wild migrating birds are believed to spread the virus, but cow-to-cow transmission cannot be ruled out.
Clinical Presentation: Farms with cattle experiencing this illness describe cows dropping in feed intake and rumen activity/rumination, rapid drop in milk production (some with milk taking on the appearance of colostrum), and abnormal manure (either firm/tacky or diarrhea). Other less consistent clinical signs include fever (low grade to high), and secondary infections. It has been reported that about 10 percent of cows affected on farm with these cases. Peak occurrence is about three to four days after the first case, and then decreasing in number until it resolves in about 14 days. Virtually all affected cows recover with supportive care after about two to three weeks, although some did not return to their previous production level. Affected animals are predominantly older mid- and late-lactation cows.
HPAI in a human patient: CDC has confirmed HPAI in one person person who was exposed to cattle on a Texas dairy presumed infected with HPAI. Symptoms are reported as mild, and the person was prescribed an antiviral medication and is isolating. This is the second patient to be diagnosed with HPAI in the US; the first occurred in 2022.
Heightened Biosecurity Recommendations: There is not a clear explanation of all the ways this virus is spread to dairy cattle, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, NMPF, AABP, and NYS Ag & Markets are recommending heightened biosecurity measures. In addition to standard biosecurity steps, it is recommended that dairy farms do the following:
- Pause or cancel non-essential on farm visits.
- Assign a Biosecurity Manager to monitor the changing situation, develop a farm specific biosecurity plan with the herd’s veterinarian, and oversee its implementation.
- Promptly notify their veterinarian if cows exhibiting the above clinical presentation are identified.
- Report findings of odd behaviors or increased numbers of dead wild birds, cats, skunks, or raccoons to animal health officials.
- Extra precautions should be taken by care givers and veterinarians caring for cattle with clinical signs matching the case description.
- Avoid importing cattle from affected farms, or presumed affected farms.
- Discourage wild bird entry to barns, waterers, and feed sources.
- Clean and disinfect cattle waterers daily as they can be a source of wild bird contamination.
- It recommended to feed only heat-treated colostrum and pasteurized milk and milk products to calves.
Additional details and resources for how to manage this evolving situation can be found here: Dairy Biosecurity Recommendations-HPAI-more_March2024_FINAL
Rob Lynch, DVM (rlynch@cornell.edu)
Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Herd Health and Management Specialist
