California dairy cows test positive for avian flu

California cows have tested positive for avian influenza at three Central Valley dairy farms, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The strain of avian influenza is known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and first showed signs in California dairy cows on Aug. 25.

Following testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, the cows were confirmed to have contracted HPAI on Aug. 30.

“We have been preparing for this possibility since earlier this year when HPAI detections were confirmed at dairy farms in other states,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

The risk of the disease to humans is low, however, the California Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control said there is a risk to farmers who work near diseased animals.

“As we have learned from recent cases in other states, these workers may be at risk of contracting avian influenza,” the CDFA wrote in a news release. “Public health officials have experience working with agricultural partners and supporting farm workers working with infected poultry to prevent and monitor for infection.”

So far there have been no confirmed human cases of HPAI in California.

While the CDFA did not name the specific location of the three dairies, they did state the three dairies have been placed under quarantine and sick cows have been isolated.

Existing and future dairy supplies are considered safe by the CDFA as all milk from sick cows is kept from the public market and the pasteurization process does “inactivate” the virus.

For more information about HPAI and its existence in California’s livestock click here.

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Source: FOX40

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