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UPDATES AND ANALYSIS FOR NMPF MEMBERS
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March 29, 2024 |
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| UPDATES AND ANALYSIS FOR NMPF MEMBERS |
March 29, 2024 |
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| New HPAI Case Confirmed in Michigan, Transmission Under Investigation |
USDA today announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a virus that causes decreased lactation, low appetite and other symptoms, has been confirmed on a farm in Michigan. This confirmation is in addition to those made Monday that two herds in Kansas and one in Texas have tested positive for the virus. Presumptive positive test results have also been received for additional herds in New Mexico, Idaho and Texas.
Federal and state agencies continue to conduct additional testing in swabs and unpasteurized clinical milk samples from sick animals, as well as viral genome sequencing, to assess whether HPAI or another unrelated illness may be underlying any symptoms.
NMPF continues to closely monitor the rapidly evolving animal health issue and is working with federal and state partners to share updates and guidance as it becomes available. |
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| WHAT’S CHANGED? | The spread of symptoms among the Michigan herd indicates that HPAI transmission is happening from “herd to herd”; transmission from cow to cow cannot be ruled out but is still being investigated. USDA officials also are considering the possibility of so-called “mechanical” transmission, in which animals may be spreading the virus via means such as milking equipment that hasn’t been fully sanitized, given the levels of virus found concentrated in milk. USDA and partners continue to monitor this closely and have advised veterinarians and producers to practice good biosecurity, test animals before necessary movements, minimize animal movements and isolate sick cattle from the herd.
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| | HOW CAN I PROTECT MY CATTLE? | Robust biosecurity protocols are critical to preventing and managing HPAI on dairy farms. That includes limiting wild bird exposure, limiting traffic into and out of farm properties, and restricting visits to employees and essential personnel.
USDA has advised producers to limit animal movement as much as possible. If movement must occur, the agency recommends PCR testing animals prior to movement and isolating animals after movement for a minimum of 21 days before integrating them with the rest of the herd.
HPAI is primarily spread by birds to animals and will spread on farms by people carrying matter from infected birds—such as dust, dander, and bird droppings—on their clothing, gloves, soles of their shoes, vehicle tires, animal trailers and other equipment, in addition to contaminated water. As we learn more about vectors of transmission, guidance and resources will be expanded.
Avian influenza virus is easily killed by many disinfectants. Keeping equipment, clothing and footwear clean helps protect cattle health from many viruses and bacteria. Click here for a list of EPA registered disinfectants that kill HPAI.
Producers should continue to closely monitor their cattle for illness, including decline in milk production, and immediately separate sick animals. If you observe clinical signs in your herd consistent with this outbreak, contact your veterinarian immediately. Veterinarians who observe these clinical signs and have ruled out other diagnoses on a client’s farm should contact the state veterinarian and follow the guidelines provided, including submitting a complete set of samples to be tested at a diagnostic laboratory.
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| | DOES THE ILLNESS AFFECT MILK SAFETY? | There continues to be no concern about the safety of the milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health because products are pasteurized before entering the market, per the Food and Drug Administration. Only milk from heathy animals is authorized for distribution into interstate commerce for human consumption. Additionally, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, including influenza, in milk.
USDA and FDA remind consumers that raw milk should not be consumed. Raw milk is a key vehicle in the transmission of human pathogens. As this situation continues to evolve, NMPF joins USDA, FDA and the International Dairy Foods Association in strongly recommending that all raw milk and raw milk components be heat-treated to a temperature and duration that kills harmful pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, including HPAI viruses, regardless of the product’s intended use for human or animal consumption. FDA also recommends out of an abundance of caution that milk from cows in an affected herd not be used to produce raw milk cheeses.
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| | ARE AFFECTED COWS SAFE TO BE AROUND? | Initial testing has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low.
When handling any sick animal, people should take basic precautions to protect themselves. Wear gloves, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until washing hands, remove clothing worn around sick animals to be washed and shower at the end of the day.
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| | STAY TUNED | NMPF and the National Dairy FARM Program will host a webinar focused on HPAI in dairy cattle on Monday, April 1, from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The session will provide up-to-date information on this rapidly evolving animal health issue. The webinar will include updates from USDA about its investigation, as well as an on-the-ground report from a field veterinarian working with affected cows. It will also explore the virus's transmission, the significance of reporting infected animals, and identification and treatment protocols. Practical strategies to safeguard the health of dairy cattle via biosecurity measures will also be discussed. Webinar registration is available here.
NMPF, USDA and federal and state partners will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Please contact Dr. Jamie Jonker at jjonker@nmpf.org with any questions.
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