By Jamie Martin
The USDA has reported a notable slowdown in bird flu detections among dairy cattle, suggesting that the outbreaks may be under control. Despite California's recent confirmation of bird flu in 12 dairy herds, many states have experienced weeks without new cases.
USDA Deputy Undersecretary Eric Deeble noted that states like Colorado and Michigan have shown a significant reduction in infections.
Currently, Colorado leads the nation with 64 infected herds, but it has not reported new outbreaks since August 13. Michigan follows with 29 cases, with the latest outbreak recorded on September 9. California accounts for 20% of the 256 infected herds spread across 14 states.
In a related development, two dairy farmworkers in California were confirmed to have contracted the avian flu virus, presenting mild symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that these infections were not unexpected, given the ongoing outbreaks in California. All confirmed human cases this year, except for one in Missouri, have been linked to dairy and poultry workers.
To combat bird flu, Colorado has implemented weekly testing of milk samples from bulk storage tanks at dairy farms, while California has mandated similar testing within six miles of infected herds. Michigan offers farmers the option of bulk tank tests or individual cow testing for exhibitions.
Despite the positive outlook, some experts express concern over the virus’s ability to spread efficiently among mammals, indicating that stronger measures are necessary.
The Department of Health and Human Services has allocated $72 million to vaccine companies to enhance the U.S. stockpile of H5N1 vaccines to 10 million doses by spring 2025, reflecting a proactive approach to safeguarding both animal and human health.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: National