Discussion thread: H5N1 avian flu in US dairy cows including human cases (poultry, dairy workers) - March 24, 2024 +

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Avian flu: should we be concerned about milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus?

AFP| Published on April 24, 2024 at 11:29 am

Should we be worried after the discovery in the United States of milk contaminated by the H5N1 virus, the cause of avian flu? No, according to experts, who consider that there is very little risk of contamination through food.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MILK CONTAMINATED IN THE UNITED STATES BY THE H5N1 VIRUS?

Traces of this H5N1 virus have been detected in pasteurized cow's milk in the United States, American authorities said on Tuesday.

During a large national investigation, viral particles were discovered in “milk from affected animals, in the processing system and on the shelves,” announced the United States Medicines Agency (FDA).

HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS CONTAMINATION?

Avian influenza A (H5N1) first appeared in 1996, but since 2020 the number of outbreaks in birds has exploded and an increasing number of mammal species are affected.

Last month cows and goats joined the list, a surprising development for experts because they are not considered susceptible to this type of flu.

“A new H5N1 virus has mixed in the United States with local viruses and has the particularity of multiplying extremely well in the udders of cows,” Jean-Claude Manuguerra, director of the research unit and expertise in “Environment and infectious risks” at the Institut Pasteur, explains to AFP.

Although the H5N1 strain has killed millions of poultry during the current wave, affected cows have not become seriously ill.

IS THERE AN INCREASED RISK OF A PANDEMIC TODAY?

“Is finding traces of virus in milk an alarming sign? No, even if the fact that there is an additional animal that is capable of being infected by this virus is not good news,” says Bruno Lina, professor of virology at Lyon University Hospital.

“We have the risk of seeing the appearance of sporadic cases, both in animals and in humans. On the other hand, we are not observing a major modification of the virus which would lead to a higher risk of pandemic than two or three months ago,” he reassures.


SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN HEALTH?

An outbreak of avian flu infected a person in Texas in early April, who presented mild symptoms - conjunctivitis - after being in direct contact with a cow.

“What we know is that this virus can cause an infection in humans if it is found in two very specific places: on the conjunctiva of the eye – and it is a mild infection – or at the level of the pulmonary alveolus, deep within the lung,” explains Bruno Lina.

In this second case, the infection can be serious. Of some 900 human cases of H5N1 infection recorded over the past 20 years by the World Health Organization (WHO), half have been fatal.

But the risks appear non-existent in the event of consumption of pasteurized milk where traces of virus have been detected: “pasteurization destroyed the virus even if it does not remove all traces of its presence,” explains Mr. Lina.

IN FRANCE, THE COUNTRY OF CHEESE AND RAW MILK, IS THE RISK HIGHER?

“Will a person, exposed to unpasteurized milk contaminated with H5N1, develop an infection via the normal milk passage circuit - mouth, digestive tract, etc. -? It has never been shown,” reassures Mr. Lina.

The strain currently circulating in the United States is, in any case, different from those circulating in Europe, recalls Mr. Manuguerra.

Furthermore, there is currently no circulation of this influenza virus among French cattle, he maintains.

“The alert is given, there is particular vigilance and these viruses change so much that we must monitor them, no pun intended, like milk on the stove,” he adds. But “I think that the consumer should absolutely not worry.”

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2024/04...inquieter-du-lait-contamine-par-le-virus-h5n1

 

[Pathfinder]

Federal Order Requiring Testing for and Reporting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in
Livestock

April 24, 2024

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), is issuing this Federal Order to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
HPAI is a contagious viral disease of domestic poultry and wild birds. HPAI is deadly to domestic poultry
and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. HPAI is a threat to the poultry industry, animal
health, human health, trade, and the economy worldwide. In the US, HPAI has now been detected in dairy
cattle.

This Federal Order is issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Animal Health
Protection Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 8301 et seq. Section 8305 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any animal, article, or means of conveyance
if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction of
any pest or disease of livestock into the United States or the dissemination of any pest or disease of
livestock within the United States. Section 8308 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out
operations and measures to detect, control, or eradicate any pest or disease of livestock. Section 8315
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders as he determines necessary to carry out the Animal
Health Protection Act. Should this Order be deemed a substantive rule, APHIS has determined that good
cause exists to impose these requirements without notice and comment, as further delay would threaten to
hasten the spread of the disease, multiplying the potential harm to livestock, poultry, the dairy industry,
and, potentially, human health.

On February 8, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed HPAI H5N1virus in a
commercial poultry flock in the United States. Since February 2022, USDA has worked swiftly with
states and poultry producers to identify and respond to over 1,100 HPAI detections on poultry farms and
mitigate the virus’ impact on U.S. poultry production and trade.

Since late March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, state veterinary and public health officials and the National Animal
Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratories have been investigating the emergence of the HPAI,
H5N1 virus in dairy cows. The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is a nationally
coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State and university-associated animal diagnostic
laboratories. The laboratories are trained and proficiency tested by USDA’s National Veterinary Services
Laboratories (NVSL) to perform official federal animal health testing; the network provides ongoing
disease surveillance, responds quickly to disease events, communicates diagnostic outcomes to decision
makers, and has the capability and capacity to meet diagnostic needs during animal disease outbreaks.
APHIS will provide reimbursement for testing at NAHLN labs, including samples submitted for (1) dairy
cattle suspected of disease due to clinical signs, (2) pre-movement testing, (3) producers interested in the
disease status of their asymptomatic animals, and (4) samples taken from other animals on dairies
associated with this disease event.

As of April 24, 2024, USDA has confirmed HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus detections on 33 dairy cattle
premises in 8 states (Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas).
USDA has also confirmed - based on specific phylogenetic evidence and epidemiological information -
that 8 poultry premises in 5 states (Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas) have also been
infected with the same HPAI H5N1virus genotype detected in dairy cattle. Additionally, APHIS’ National
Veterinary Services Laboratories found HPAI in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy
cow that originated from an affected herd and which did not enter the food supply.

HPAI has already been recognized as a threat by USDA, and the interstate movement of animals infected
with HPAI is already prohibited. See 9 C.F.R. 71.3(b). However, the detection of this new distinct HPAI
H5N1 virus genotype in dairy cattle poses a new animal disease risk for dairy cattle - as well as an
additional disease risk to domestic poultry farms - since this genotype can infect both cattle and poultry.
In order to continue to monitor and understand the extent of this virus and reduce the risk of further
disseminating HPAI H5N1 virus, resulting in greater threats to poultry and livestock, this Federal Order
requires the following measures, effective Monday, April 29, 2024.

Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle

• Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A
virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
• Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to
provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
• Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
• As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for
lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on
scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

Mandatory Reporting

• Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection
diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS.
• Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results
in livestock to USDA APHIS.

For more information regarding this Federal Order go to HPAI Detections in Livestock Page.​

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dairy-federal-order.pdf

 

[Treyfish]

:tiphat:From above..
​​​​​​Additionally, APHIS’ National
Veterinary Services Laboratories found HPAI in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy
cow that originated from an affected herd and which did not enter the food supply...

Not liking that statement

​

 

[sharon sanders]

This is not adequate.

We need widespread mandatory sentinel testing across the entire US to see what is going on genetically and practically. The federal government should pay and/or reimburse the states for it.

 

[Treyfish]

US beef importers await impact as New York, Dominican Rep., Colombia impose bird flu-related import curbs
24 Apr 2024 | 16:56 UTC

• AuthorJohn-Laurent Tronche

Imported beef prices have trended lower this week

If Asia or Europe excludes US beef, 'then we'll see some impacts'

'Specific group of slaughter plants,' US meat exporters group says

The US state of New York, and Colombia and the Dominican Republic, have become the first political entities to impose restrictions on imports of dairy cattle from the US states with confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, more commonly known as "bird flu."For full access to real-time updates, breaking news, analysis, pricing and data visualization subscribe today.

Subscribe Now

• AGRICULTURE
• 24 Apr 2024 | 16:56 UTC

The US state of New York, and Colombia and the Dominican Republic, have become the first political entities to impose restrictions on imports of dairy cattle from the US states with confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, more commonly known as "bird flu." ....
However, market sources said it was too early to tell in which direction domestic and imported beef prices will trend on those restrictions.

"If we start getting export limitations, it depends on what we're sending" to those destinations, a US beef importer said. "If we're exporting round cuts, that will just add more round cuts to our supply here, which are already at a value to put into ground beef."

Instead, if the countries are importing offal, by-products and omasums (or cows' stomachs) then the US could be stuck with products it typically does not use.
​....Earlier this week, Colombia prohibited the import of fresh and frozen beef and beef products derived from cattle slaughtered within those eight states, according to updated guidance from the US Department of Agriculture.

"It's a partial suspension of US beef from a specific group of slaughter plants," US Meat Export Federation spokesperson Joe Schuele said of Colombia. Colombia is understood to have okayed beef from cattle slaughtered prior to April 16, while cattle slaughtered after that date would be prohibited.

"The Dominican Republic has not published anything official to the export library but there have been for a few days now some shipments of US beef from those states that have been delayed or detained or struggled to gain clearance," Schuele added.

The Dominican Republic imported 8,250 mt of US beef valued at $94.59 million in 2022, the latest figures available from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Colombia imported 6,975 mt of beef valued at $43.55 million in the same period.....
:tiphat:

---------------------------------------------------------

For some reason the direct link does not work, please copy paste the link below:

https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/042424-us-beef-importers-await-impact-as-new-york-dominican-rep-colombia-impose-bird-flu-related-import-curbs

 

[sharon sanders]

This is not adequate.

We need widespread mandatory sentinel testing across the entire US to see what is going on genetically and practically. The federal government should pay and/or reimburse the states for it.

I am not aware of any federal program that is financially assisting with the farm losses. Do you know what happens in one country that does not compensate farmers for H5N1 poultry losses? Magically the farms have a fire - usually it is a faulty circuit. It appears insurance companies pay off on fire losses.

This situation could be far reaching..like to the insurance companies for business losses. Not to mention underreporting of infected flocks, herds, etc.

Think way ahead...other industries could be affected too.....where is the H5N1 "tsar"?

 

[sharon sanders]

Amd while I am on a rant...what is this name..."HPAI"? That could refer to many different strains...why just call it H5N1 avian flu?

 

[Pathfinder]

'We Have To Go Through It'

A U.S. dairy farm.
(Farm Journal)
By RHONDA BROOKS April 24, 2024
...
“The most surprising part of this, in my mind, is the fact that we’re finding so much virus as we are in the milk, in the mammary gland,” Magstadt says.

‘Show Us The Data’
On April 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported it had detected “viral particles of H5N1 avian influenza” in pasteurized milk available for purchase at grocery stores.

Russo is quick to point out this doesn’t mean the actual virus is in milk. Rather, it’s the genetic material known as RNA.

“I think the FDA needs to show us the data,” Russo says. “The fact that there is viral material in some of the milk on shelves, as detected by rt-PCR. That test doesn’t say whether it is alive or dead. Virus isolation is necessary. The first tests have not grown virus, thankfully, but we need more data.”
...
Some veterinarians working with dairies in Texas believe the virus is more active than current data suggest. Nick Schneider, a consulting dairy practitioner, is one of them.

“The thing is, when you get into the Panhandle of Texas, I’m not sure there’s anybody (dairy farms) that did not have it,” says Schneider.

Texas is home to 335 Grade A dairies with an estimated 625,00 cows, according to information on the Texas Association of Dairymen website. More than 100 of those operations are in the Panhandle.
...
“We need to think about this potentially being something we have to live with as being a part of the industry in the future,” Schneider says. “I hope I'm wrong. I would love to be wrong about that. But it's something that we definitely need to consider when we're thinking of how we're going to manage it.”

...https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/industry/we-have-go-through-it

 

[Treyfish]

:tiphat:From the above article, some interesting statements…

…
The latter is a message Dr. Barb Petersen has taken to heart. ..-->> Petersen says she was exposed to H5N1 for more than a month before she learned about the virus and its ability to infect some of her dairy clients' cows.

“I’m very fortunate that I never got sick,” she says.

Her advice? “Protect yourselves and your people on the dairy. There's been underreporting of the virus. Understandably, there's been a lot of fear. But every dairy that I've worked with has – with the exception of one – had sick human beings at the same time they had sick cows.”

Based on that knowledge, Petersen has acquired PPE available through Texas Health and Human Services.

“All the states have personal protective equipment available. Go and get it for your dairies,” she encourages other veterinarians. “If a dairy is on the fence, just provide it to them, offer it to everybody.”

Petersen says she has worked with people infected by H5N1 who do not interact with dairy cows. “I'm talking owners and feeders who don't usually touch cows,” she says.:magnify:

Research is underway to determine how much of a health risk the virus poses to humans, Russo says.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation, and the people that are working on it are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of those individuals that are most at risk,” she says.
​

 

[Vibrant62]

A logical assumption (that is going to be hard to prove direct causality one way or the other) would be that Dairy cattle are consuming infected bird faeces during grazing. If this is indeed the case, do we know if any other ruminant grazing animals e.g sheep, goats and potentially horses are being screened for infection, especially in locations where there has been positive H5N1 tests for cattle?

 

[Vibrant62]

An additional thought is, given that this current H5N1 variant is geographically dispersed - presumably the same or a very similar virus is in wild birds in the UK/ EU and ?other? countries, is has there been / are there plans for random sampling of cattle in countries across the world where the H5N1 virus is currently prevalent in wild birds? Or is the virus materially different in differing geographical locations?

If it is a genetically identical virus in wild birds in any other countries then it is illogical to assume that there are not also cattle infections in those countries.

 

[sharon sanders]

For viewers who are not familiar with Vibrant62, she is an experienced avian flu preparation expert on this site since 2006.

 

[Treyfish]

I've been travelling through Canada and Mexico,all the papers are talking about our outbreaks but nothing about any of theirs. I also haven't seen anything about other animals being tested unless they are sick or acting funny. Heck, they aren't testing any cows unless they are showing signs of illness though that may change and there has been mention of asymptomatic cows, so they must be testing some.

 

[Treyfish]

I think they should stop sales of raw milk till this is sorted out. Are they testing all the raw milk currently available? Or only in states with outbreaks? CDC ain't saying..fda says don't sell it

.....
Raw Milk/Cheese Concerns


Are there concerns about HPAI and raw, unpasteurized milk?

Based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if HPAI A (H5N1) viruses can be transmitted through consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and products (such as cheese) made from raw milk from infected cows.


However, we have long known that raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms (germs) that can pose serious health risks to consumers. According to the CDC, from 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. These outbreaks have typically been caused by the presence of bacteria such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk. For more information about how consumers can protect themselves from these risks see our website: Raw Milk.

Because of the limited information available about the possible transmission of HPAI A (H5N1) viruses in raw milk, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those infected with avian influenza viruses or exposed to those infected with avian influenza viruses. By exposure, we generally mean cattle located on a premises with cattle with suspected or confirmed HPAI A (H5N1).

Given the variety of premises sizes and the potential for state requirements, the FDA recommends producers consult with state regulatory officials and their veterinarian for further guidance. Accordingly, the FDA recommends that milk from exposed, asymptomatic cattle only be used for pasteurized milk and milk products whether for human or animal feed channels. The FDA recommends that premises test for HPAI viruses in pooled milk prior to resuming commerce in unpasteurized dairy products following apparent resolution of illnesses on the premises.

Additionally, as it is prohibited to sell raw milk for human consumption in interstate commerce, each state has its own regulations regarding the sale and distribution of raw milk within the state. Therefore, we defer questions or concerns about raw milk to the state authorities in which the raw milk is sold....

:tiphat:

https://www.fda.gov/food/milk-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/questions-and-answers-regarding-milk-safety-during-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreaks#rawmilkcheese


​​​​​​Plenty for sale in outbreak areas for sure..just wondering if they plan to keep sellingit and is it tested..if asymptomatic cows can still be infected and producing milk?

Click here to choose your state:tiphat:
https://www.realmilk.com/raw-milk-finder/

 

[alert]

I work in the supermarket industry supply chain. I'm not worried about raw milk because it's illegal to sell in most places and most stores don't carry it anyway. You really have to go out of your way to find it. My concern is if the further testing shows actual viable virus and not just fragments of genetic material in the pasteurized milk. Not only would that result in one of the largest recalls I've ever seen, it would be mean disposing of millions of gallons of milk with one of the most dangerous pathogens known to mankind. These stores are not equipped to handle that. Without special guidelines, this product would go down drains, into compactors and compost bins, and loads of other places you don't want H5N1 virus going where animals would surely get to it.

This is beyond the risks from the millions of humans like myself who might have already consumed this milk.

I think the government needs to be planning distribution of Tamiflu for a large number of human cases if viable virus is found in commercialized pasteurized milk.

 

[sharon sanders]

This is not adequate.

We need widespread mandatory sentinel testing across the entire US to see what is going on genetically and practically. The federal government should pay and/or reimburse the states for it.

Please see:

WHO calls for global detection networks for bird flu virus​ - April 24, 2024, h/t Treyfish

While the surveillance of birds and poultry is already very developed, "what we really need globally is strong surveillance in different animal species," Maria Van Kerkhove, who leads pandemic prevention and preparedness at the WHO, said during a press conference in Geneva.​

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...-human-case-texas-april-1?p=989387#post989387

 

[Treyfish]

Evidence of Bird Flu Found in Pasteurized Milk. Here's What That Means


Experts say that commercial milk remains safe to consume. But what are health officials doing to protect the milk supply, and what about raw milk?

Jessica Rendall
April 24, 2024 4:53 p.m. PT

Fragments of the virus that causes bird flu, H5N1, has been found in samples of pasteurized milk, according to a Tuesday update from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Since bird flu was first reported in dairy cows herds earlier this spring, health agencies have only previously reported detecting the virus in samples of raw or unpasteurized milk, which hasn't gone through the process of heating milk to get rid of viruses and bacteria like pasteurized products have.

Still, the agency stressed the commercial milk supply is still safe. Pasteurization is expected to inactivate bird flu virus and make it non-infectious -- even if parts of its genetic material are now showing up in some milk samples -- and it's a requirement for milk entering the commercial milk supply, making up the vast majority of milk found on store shelves (though not all, depending on local laws).

"Based on available information, pasteurization is likely to inactivate the virus, however the process is not expected to remove the presence of viral particles," the FDA said.....

While the current public health threat to people remains low, some scientists and infectious disease experts have expressed concerns about US health agencies' response to bird flu in farm animals and their lack of details on the information pertaining to milk samples. Virologist Angela Rasmussen, for example, said in an X thread Tuesday that the new milk findings suggest the disease may be spreading asymptomatically in cows and more broadly than previously thought and that an "apparent lack of transparency and urgency" to share relevant data may be harming the ability to respond......

And what about the noncommercial milk supply, or raw milk that hasn't been pasteurized? While people who grew up on farms or around cattle might have had unpasteurized milk for dinner, raw milk has found a growing audience: people seeking it out for wellness purposes or sometimes traveling to local farms to consume a food they feel is more natural or holistic.

About raw milk or dairy products during these bird-flu times, citing limited information on bird flu in dairy, the FDA says it doesn't know whether bird flu viruses can be transmitted through unpasteurized products. The agency is reiterating its general stance that people should avoid consuming raw or unpasteurized milk for risks of consuming pathogens that are particularly dangerous to children, older people, people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems.

The experts I spoke with for this story before it was first published earlier this month essentially said, in general, influenza isn't spread to people through eating or drinking. However, they stressed the existing health risks of unpasteurized milk, consumption and sales of which often fall outside what you'd typically see on grocery store shelves, dependent on local laws.
​.....lots more..
:tiphat:
​https://www.cnet.com/health/nutriti...d-milk-heres-what-that-means/#ftag=CAD590a51e

 

[Vibrant62]

Alert - Agreed. Re: pasteurisation, many countries do not have pasteurisation processes mandated in the same way as they are in the US. If there are currently problems with infected cattle (as yet unidentified) in poorer countries where pasteurisation does not occur, then there will be human populations being subjected to high levels of virus exposure, which provides a far greater chance and probability for the virus to adapt for a jump to humans. This situation is not controllable, given food chain dependencies and poverty issues in many corners of the world, and the high unit value of cattle.

I hope that all the H5N1 pandemic plans are fully dusted off and reconsidered by all relevant authorities, and that the mistakes made with SARS-Cov-2 / Covid-19 are not repeated. Covid was treated in the same way as flu, when it was materially different in terms of transmission (aerosol transmission with low levels of fomite transmission) and a host of other issues. Rules that applied for a Covid pandemic are not directly transferrable to a Flu pandemic, but some lessons are still pertinent. Most notably, we live in a world where the numbers of medics either killed by Covid or disabled for the long term are quite staggering.

There are not enough of medics in any corner of the world, so as a first priority in planning we need to ensure better protection for the medics we do have, and these need to consider differing scenarios, with protections be up to Ebola standards for a severe flu pandemic.

I would hope that seed vaccine production is also in development, but I also know that flu vaccine manufacturing capacity is still far short of where it needs to be on a global basis, even though it is much improved from where the world was in @2010. There is also a great deal of vaccine hesitancy now amongst populations due to issues with mRNA technology and the covid vaccines, especially amongst younger and otherwise healthy populations, although in a severe pandemic I think those issues will evaporate quite quickly, and the greatest issues will be matching demand to supply.

I worry that individual countries and the WHO have a steep learning curve to go through (again), and an even tougher struggle to get governments to update their plans and contingencies - so many people still think Covid and flu are 'pretty much the same thing', including individuals in positions of authority. There is also widespread pandemic fatigue, when the reality is that we are not out of the Covid-19 pandemic yet. Unstable geopolitics and wars are yet another cause for H5N1 pandemic planning to be kicked down the road by those in power, especially since the last few times H5N1 reared its ugly head, a pandemic never materialised.

This time is different IMHO. Barring a miracle, I cannot see how an H5N1 pandemic can be avoided this time around if infections in cattle (and potentially other ruminants) is a global problem given their extreme importance to food supply. I remember that the Chinese and others in Asia heavily vaccinated their chickens against H5N1 (is this something they still do?), so perhaps as a first step we need to be mass vaccinating cattle around the world? Just a thought. Culling is not viable for a host of reasons, so we need to think laterally.

 

[sharon sanders]

Agree with Vibrant 100%.

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Michael Coston


Virus Material Found in 38% of Retail Milk Samples at Lab Virus Material Found in 38% of Retail Milk Samples at Lab
April 24, 2024
​

snip

The Ohio State lab is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) network for the Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Response. As the team worked together to generate scientific data, Bowman and the team needed to try to get a handle on the scope of the new outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in cattle. They decided it would be quicker and more efficient to test samples of retail milk versus visiting every dairy farm in the country.

“We've tested 150 samples, 58 of those have tested positive to date,” says Bowman. “We've screened them for the presence of influenza genetic material, so the viral RNA. Those that have tested positive, we have been forwarded to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where they are conducting studies to see if there's a viable virus in there. To date, none of them have been viable, but certainly they give the indication that there is viral genetic material in the region.”

Bowman says the team purchased milk from six different states, and the processing plant codes on those 58 positives represent 10 different states where the milk was processed.

“I think this certainly gives us some idea that it's a larger problem than the handful of states in the 38 farms that had been reported,” says Bowman. “I think it's much more common.”

The difference between finding viral RNA, which is genetic material, versus a live virus, is a major point in reassuring consumers the U.S. milk supply is safe, but it’s also a key metric in tracking how widespread the virus actually is.

more...

https://www.bovinevetonline.com/new...ting-and-reporting-hpai-dairy-cattle-new-data

​