The agriculture rumor mill is alive and well. This time one of the topics is bird flu and how it affects the dairy industry, yes, the DAIRY industry, surprising because clearly cows are not birds. And the dairies are an important part of the Westside economy.
First, some facts and effects.
In March 2024, bird flu was detected for the first time in a (baby) goat in Minnesota.
On March 25, 2024, cows were reported sickened with what scientists were presuming was the same H5N1 strain of influenza that had killed hundreds of millions of poultry and wild birds. This marked the first time the viral subtype of bird flu was documented in cattle. Three U.S. states — Texas, Kansas and New Mexico — were the first to report the illnesses.
In April 2024, Texas confirmed the first case of a human infection with a bird influenza virus. The Texas worker developed conjunctivitis, a mild eye infection that frequently occurs when avian influenza viruses jump into humans.
At this point, according to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Avian influenza virus type A (H5N1) has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 16 states: 708 herds in California, 64 in Colorado, 35 in Idaho, 30 in Michigan, 27 in Texas, 13 each in Iowa and Utah, nine each in Minnesota and New Mexico, seven in South Dakota, four in Kansas, two in Oklahoma and one each in Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Wyoming.
What stands out in the statistics is the sheer number of herds with H5N1 in California, prompting the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on Jan. 7 to issue the statement below in regard to fairs and expositions:
“Due to the continued spread of H5N1 Bird Flu in California, the State Veterinarian has implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows immediately until further notice. This action is required to minimize the danger of exposing people and non-infected cows and birds to the disease.”
However, a meeting with the state veterinarians took place on Jan. 17. According to Merced County Spring Fair Board Member Pat Gallichio, “As of now we are not cancelling the dairy cattle show.” The fair board will have a meeting soon to have further discussions. It is possible that the show will only consist of heifers, bulls and replacement heifers, eliminating cows, but those decisions are in the works, not yet made.
It is important to mention that our meat and milk, as well as eggs are safe to consume.
Due to the depopulation of birds when the virus strikes, egg laying hens have decreased in population causing less of a supply of eggs, leading them to become very expensive, simply a case of supply and demand.
Milk is pasteurized, a process that kills the risk of foodborne illness, making dairy products entirely safe, even during this outbreak. In meat, the cooking process also has the same effect of making meat perfectly safe to consume.
Here are some advisories from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
Eating uncooked or undercooked poultry or beef or drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk can make you sick.
Cooking poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.
Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk. Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.
