State officials have recently confirmed the presence of H5N1 influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, in a dairy herd located in Stearns County, Minnesota. This significant discovery marks the first detection of bird flu in a dairy herd since last summer and occurs shortly after Minnesota initiated a proactive program to test raw cow milk for bird flu. This program comes in response to growing national concerns regarding the virus potentially transferring from poultry flocks to cows.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has announced that the affected 620-cow herd will be placed under strict quarantine until they can provide evidence proving they are no longer infected with the virus. Importantly, there is no current concern regarding the safety of the public milk supply. All milk sold in stores undergoes pasteurization, a process that effectively kills bacteria and viruses, including the active H5N1 virus present in milk.
While the herd remains under quarantine, they will have the ability to apply for movement permits for animals and animal products, such as waste milk and manure. Notably, milk designated for pasteurization does not require a permit and can continue to be processed, ensuring business operations proceed while minimizing the risk of disease spread. State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Hoefs emphasized that the response to H5N1 is a collaborative effort aimed at addressing all potential angles of the virus's detection and limiting its transmission.
In an effort to combat the spread of bird flu, the state has ramped up testing of raw milk samples from Minnesota's approximately 1,600 dairy farms on a monthly basis. This increased surveillance is crucial for early detection of the virus and for maintaining the health of both animals and humans. Symptoms of bird flu in cows may include fever, reduced milk production, decreased appetite, and alterations in manure consistency. To mitigate the risk, dairy farms are already mandated to properly dispose of milk from any sick animals.
The quarantine of the affected dairy herd will necessitate that the farm achieves three consecutive negative milk tests before the quarantine can be lifted. This rigorous testing protocol is vital for identifying which dairy herds may be infected, thereby preventing further disease spread. "Identifying infected dairy herds is essential for safeguarding both animal and human health," stated MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen in a recent press release. "Regular sampling and testing will enable the MDA and its partners to monitor trends and effectively prevent the spread of the virus, protecting unaffected dairy herds and poultry flocks."
