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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock
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September 12, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Two Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two (2) new dairies, for a total of eight (8) affected dairies in the Central Valley of California. The two (2) dairies, in addition to the last three (dairies) confirmed for HPAI, were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These recent findings are not unexpected and support CDFA’s implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. This provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
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Another California herd - This makes 9 known herds for the state.
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WastewaterSCAN Dashboard
H5, San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA (E.W. Blom Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant)
https://data.wastewaterscan.org/trac...ChartId=89581a
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Bird Flu Detected in Wastewater, But Not In People
By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office
Sep. 16, 2024 | 5:02 PM Reading Time: 2 minutes
San Diego County has become the fifth location in California to report the environmental detection of H5 influenza virus, commonly referred to as bird flu.
This detection was made through wastewater testing conducted on Sept. 1, 2024, by WastewaterSCAN, a privately funded operation that monitors wastewater for pathogens at more than 150 sites nationwide and 57 sites across California. Regular follow up sampling has not detected any virus.
H5 influenza regularly circulates in wild birds and occasionally causes human cases. Recent outbreaks of H5N1 in cattle and a small number of human cases, primarily in farm workers, have brought attention to the virus this year.
The detection in San Diego County does not confirm the presence of a human H5 infection, the presence of live H5N1 virus, or the presence of the H5N1 B3.13 strain, also known as “Cattle Clade,” currently circulating in cattle and occasionally causing human disease in farm workers.
H5 is also regularly detected in states with infected dairy herds such as Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. No detections of the H5 influenza virus have occurred in San Diego County cattle, birds or humans in 2024. There were wild bird detections in 2022 and 2023, and a poultry flock was infected in 2022.
County Public Health Services conducts surveillance of human influenza cases all year round and receives information about lab confirmed case reports, hospitalizations and deaths. In addition, the Public Health Lab collaborates with a network of regional labs to perform advanced testing to identify novel strains that might be emerging in our region or flu virus that may not be well matched with the annual flu vaccine. Regular surveillance updates on major respiratory viruses including Influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are available online.
“San Diego County has a robust flu surveillance system,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, County interim public health officer. “While we have no evidence of the virus in people or animals, it is important to be transparent with the public both about the detection status and that we are vigilant and working with our partners at the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor for signs of H5 presence locally.”
San Diego County has a closed sewage system, meaning that its stormwater and wastewater do not intentionally intermix. This greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the probability that this detection is from an environmental source such as migrating birds.
The virus may have been introduced into wastewater by discarding of contaminated animal products, infected wild bird droppings entering the sewage system, human infection, or animal infection.
More information about H5 can be found on the Public Health Services website.
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Another California herd with the same date as the one announced yesterday. See the post above for a reference. This makes the 10th known herd. Now 2 herds are listed for September 13 instead of 1:
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September 17, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Two Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two (2) new dairies, for a total of ten (10) affected dairies in the Central California. The two new HPAI-confirmed dairies were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These recent findings are not unexpected and support CDFA’s implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. Early detection provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
Continued: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/HPAI.htmlComment
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6 more herds per USDA. This makes 16 known herds confirmed by the USDA:
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September 19, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Seven Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in seven (7) new dairies, for a total of seventeen (17) affected dairies in Central California. The seven new HPAI-confirmed dairies were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These recent findings are not unexpected and support CDFA's implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. Early detection provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. All national detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website at the following link: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
All affected dairies have been placed under quarantine. Enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Sick cows are isolated and being treated at the dairies. Most infected livestock and dairy cattle can fully recover from HPAI infection within a few weeks.
California's supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. Healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus, so there is no cause for concern for consumers of milk or dairy products that have undergone this process. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.
No human cases of HPAI related to this incident have been confirmed in California. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat, and the risk to humans continue to be considered low.
Stay Informed:
For the most up-to-date information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock.
For public inquiries regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in California, please send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-217-7517. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
September 17, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Two Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two (2) new dairies, for a total of ten (10) affected dairies in the Central California. The two new HPAI-confirmed dairies were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These recent findings are not unexpected and support CDFA’s implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. Early detection provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. All national detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website under: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
All affected dairies have been placed under quarantine. Enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Sick cows are isolated and being treated at the dairies. Most infected livestock and dairy cattle can fully recover from HPAI infection within a few weeks.
California's supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. Healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus, so there is no cause for concern for consumers of milk or dairy products that have undergone this process. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.
No human cases of HPAI related to this incident have been confirmed in California. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat, and the risk to humans continue to be considered low.
Stay Informed:
For the most up-to-date information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock.
For public inquiries regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in California, please send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-217-7517. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
September 12, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Two Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two (2) new dairies, for a total of eight (8) affected dairies in the Central Valley of California. The two (2) dairies, in addition to the last three (dairies) confirmed for HPAI, were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These recent findings are not unexpected and support CDFA’s implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. This provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. All national detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website under: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
All affected dairies have been placed under quarantine and enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Sick cows are isolated and are being treated at the dairies. Most infected livestock and dairy cattle can fully recover from HPAI infection within a few weeks.
California's supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. Healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus so, there is no cause for concern for consumers from milk or dairy products. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.
No human cases of HPAI have been confirmed in California related to this incident. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat and the risk to humans is considered to be low.
Stay Informed:
For the most up-to-date information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock.
For public inquiries regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in California, please send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-217-7517. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
September 11, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in Three Additional Dairies in California
SACRAMENTO, CA — Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three new dairies in the Central Valley of California. These dairies were in a group targeted for testing due to elevated risks from their recent connections with the initial affected premises. These findings are not unexpected and support CDFA’s implementation of current surveillance strategies with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. This provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.
This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. All national detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website under: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
All affected dairies have been placed under quarantine and enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Sick cows are isolated and are being treated at the dairies. Most infected livestock and dairy cattle can fully recover from HPAI infection within a few weeks.
California's supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. Healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus so, there is no cause for concern for consumers from milk or dairy products. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.
No human cases of HPAI have been confirmed in California related to this incident. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat and the risk to humans is considered to be low.
Stay Informed:
For the most up-to-date information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock.
For public inquiries regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in California, please send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-217-7517. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) CONFIRMED IN THREE CALIFORNIA DAIRY HERDS
Three Central Valley farms quarantined; no human cases detected; no threat to the milk and food supply
SACRAMENTO, August 30, 2024 – Cows at three California dairies located in the Central Valley have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). When the herds began showing clinical signs consistent with HPAI on August 23-25, 2024, samples from these three sites were submitted to our California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) laboratory network for preliminary determination, then submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), where the test results were confirmed today.
No human cases of HPAI have been confirmed in California related to this incident. The California Department of Health (CDPH) will provide official confirmation of any human cases associated with this incident.
"We have been preparing for this eventuality since earlier this year when HPAI detections were confirmed at dairy farms in other states," said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. "Our extensive experience with HPAI in poultry has given us ample preparation and expertise to address this incident, with workers' health and public health as our top priorities."
According to CDPH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat and the risk to humans is considered to be low. The primary concern is for dairy workers who come into close contact with infected dairy cows. As we have learned from recent cases in other states, these workers may be at risk of contracting avian influenza. The CDC has confirmed four human cases of HPAI in dairy workers in other states since April 2024: one each in Texas and Colorado, and two in Michigan. CDFA is working with public health officials and dairy owners to inform and monitor workers at the affected dairies in California, and to assist the dairies with providing personal protective equipment.
California’s supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. As a precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply. Also, pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus, so there is no cause for concern for consumers from milk or dairy products. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.
The detection of HPAI in cattle is by no means unexpected. The HPAI virus has been detected in North American wild birds in the U.S. since 2022, with occasional transmission into domestic poultry or wild mammals in almost all states, including California. In March, 2024, the first US detection in cattle was confirmed in Texas, most likely due to a single spillover event from wild birds. Since that time, the USDA has linked new detections in cattle to the interstate and regional movement of infected or contaminated livestock, people, and equipment.
The affected dairies have been placed under quarantine on the authority of CDFA’s State Veterinarian, and enhanced biosecurity measures are in place. Sick cows are isolated and are being treated at the dairies; healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Animal movement is being tracked and evaluated, as are other potential introduction pathways. Additional testing will be prioritized according to epidemiologic risk. CDFA's preliminary investigation has confirmed that cows have been moved among these dairies recently. The investigation and response are ongoing. Background on HPAI in California
CDFA has been engaged for years now with an extensive network of private veterinarians, farmers and ranchers, backyard bird enthusiasts, and local, state and federal partners to actively monitor for this disease in livestock and poultry throughout California. The department has taken steps to reduce the risk of entry of infected dairy cattle into the state, has extensive experience responding quickly and effectively to past detections of HPAI in poultry, and is fully prepared to respond to detections in cattle.
Most infected livestock and dairy cattle are able to fully recover from an HPAI infection within a few weeks. As we are seeing with this current incident, dairy herds can show clinical signs of infection such as reduced milk production; thicker, concentrated, colostrum‐like milk; a decrease in feed consumption; abnormal, tacky or loose feces; lethargy; dehydration; and fever.
No California domestic poultry flocks are affected by the current incident. Avian influenza viruses continue to circulate normally among migratory and wild birds. Monitoring of both wild and domestic bird populations is performed on a continuous basis by multiple public agencies, as well as farmers and ranchers and private bird owners.
At the federal level, USDA has implemented or expanded a number of programs to support affected dairy premises. These include the Dairy Herd Status Program and financial assistance for the heat treatment and disposal of milk, veterinary costs, personal protective equipment (PPE), milk loss offset via the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP), biosecurity planning and implementation, as well as shipping cost offset for H5N1 testing. Information about all US detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website under: HPAI in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov).
For the most up-to-date information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock.
Media Contact:
Steve Lyle, CDFA, 916-654-0462, officeofpublicaffairs@cdfa.ca.gov
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8 more listed by the USDA with one already known on Friday. This is an additional 7 known herds - for a total in California of 24.
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Originally posted by sharon sanders View Post8 more listed by the USDA with one already known on Friday. This is an additional 7 known herds - for a total in California of 24.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock...ases-livestock
Now I check back and there are a total of 18 herds listed today. Not 17....18. So this number is in work for the USDA.
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Concern grows as bird flu outbreaks continue to rise among California dairy herds
By Susanne Rust
Staff Writer
Sept. 24, 2024 3 AM PT
On Monday, officials reported that the number of infected dairy herds in the Central Valley had doubled over the weekend, rising from 17 to 34.
A spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture said they expect more cases to be announced in the coming days and weeks, as testing continues.
With roughly 1,100 dairy herds in California — and 90% located in the San Joaquin Valley — concern is palpable, say industry insiders.
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It is still unclear how the virus got into the state, but genetic sequencing suggests the virus is similar to that found in infected cattle in other states — and that it did not come from wild birds.
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Looks like 6 more herds detected in CA, for a total of 42 Herds.
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