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Highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States – Quebec prevention and control strategy
May 9, 2024
To watch the webinar, click here
During this webinar, an update on the situation and the Quebec prevention, surveillance and control strategy, which is currently in development, will be presented to you. This presentation will be followed by a question period. This webinar will clarify the role of dairy cattle producers and veterinary practitioners in the management of this disease and to better understand what the impacts will be on producers if this disease were ever introduced into a Quebec herd.
https://www.upa.qc.ca/producteur/fo...tegie-quebecoise-de-prevention-et-de-controle
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Beware of avian influenza in cattle!
Dairy producers and veterinarians are called upon to monitor
By Marie-Josée Parent
Posted: 22 hours ago
Beware of avian influenza in cattle!
Even if avian influenza in cattle, an emerging disease in the United States, is absent in Canada, that does not mean that it cannot occur here. This is why dairy producers are encouraged to work with their veterinarians to monitor their animals for avian influenza.
The chief veterinary doctor at the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), Luc Bergeron, presented a webinar organized by the Quebec Milk Producers on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The purpose of this training was to explain what is being done to prevent this disease from entering Canada, how to detect it and explain what will happen if a case is ever reported.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious viral disease in poultry. It has been detected in 422 poultry farms in Canada, including 54 in Quebec since April 2022. It is a disease that must be declared to MAPAQ and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In poultry, the strategy is to eradicate the disease by euthanizing the flock.
Emerging disease
In dairy cattle, avian influenza is an emerging disease. In February-March, an emerging disease was detected in dairy cattle in Texas. On March 25, avian influenza was detected in a flock in Texas. Since then, 36 American dairy farms have tested positive for avian influenza in nine states.
Luc Bergeron explains that the main route of transmission of the disease is through milk, probably through contaminated milking equipment. This is probably what happened in the United States. According to analyzes carried out in the United States, the cases that occurred came from a single case. According to Luc Bergeron, this probably occurred from a contaminated dead bird which contaminated a source of drinking water for cattle. American studies subsequently demonstrated that the movement of cattle from infected herds subsequently allowed the transmission of the disease.
There are three reasons why we are interested in this disease. First, avian influenza causes a reduction in milk production on affected farms. There is therefore an economic aspect for the targeted herds. Second, it is a new reservoir for the virus which causes significant losses in poultry, dairy and international trade. Third, there is a fear that this strain will mutate and become a significant disease in humans, which is not currently the case. “We want to prevent this virus from spreading as much as possible,” explains Luc Bergeron.
On-farm monitoring
Dairy producers are encouraged to monitor the following three main clinical signs:
– decrease in milk production, including a significant decrease for certain cows;
– milk with a thicker consistency than usual, which resembles colostrum;
– reduction in feed consumption with a simultaneous decline in ruminal motility.
The disease affects older dairy cows more severely and those over 150 days in milk. In a herd, approximately 10% demonstrate clinical signs. They are present for 10 to 14 days, but it can take 3 to 6 weeks before the herd returns to normal, while the other cows become infected and heal.
If you observe these symptoms, Luc Bergeron explains that you must contact your veterinarian who will make an observation and take the necessary analyzes. This is a reportable illness.
Flock positive for avian influenza
If the test is positive, the herd will be isolated. No animal will be able to leave for the entire duration of the illness and for the following 30 days. The calves and animals planned for culling will have to stay on the farm, which could be the most difficult part for breeders, according to Luc Bergeron.
Milk from animals that are not sick can be delivered for human consumption since pasteurization kills the virus. However, Luc Bergeron does not recommend serving raw milk to calves.
How to prevent?
The CFIA, provinces, territories and industry are collaborating on a control strategy. Quebec is currently developing and implementing a Quebec prevention, surveillance and control strategy. Dr. Bergeron is also very proud of the progress of the work in Quebec.
On the farm, the main prevention measure is to limit the introduction of dairy cattle, particularly those from regions where cases of this disease have been confirmed. If animals must be introduced, Luc Bergeron recommends that these introductions respect the usual recommendations of the purchasing protocol.
As of April 29, 2024, the CFIA requires that lactating U.S. dairy cows have tested negative for avian influenza within 7 days prior to export.
According to Luc Bergeron, going out to pasture is not a concern since the virus has been present in Quebec for years and going out to pasture has never been a problem.
Let's stay positive in the face of the threat
Luc Bergeron believes that it is possible to ensure that the disease does not occur in Quebec. He cites the example of the fight of pig breeders against the entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea around ten years ago into Quebec. Quebec then did very well while the other provinces had many more cases.
“Today, the message I am sending you is: Quebec Milk Producers, we must be positive about that,” said Luc Bergeron. We must fight. We must collaborate with the various stakeholders in the sector. And I put my trust 100% in your hands, the milk producers. I know that in the past milk producers have always collaborated on this type of initiative. Veterinarians have always collaborated and I have complete confidence. »
It is possible to watch or rewatch the webinar by clicking this link .
https://www.lebulletin.com/elevage/influenza-aviaire-bovins-surveillance-webinaire-133538
Highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States – Quebec prevention and control strategy
May 9, 2024
To watch the webinar, click here
During this webinar, an update on the situation and the Quebec prevention, surveillance and control strategy, which is currently in development, will be presented to you. This presentation will be followed by a question period. This webinar will clarify the role of dairy cattle producers and veterinary practitioners in the management of this disease and to better understand what the impacts will be on producers if this disease were ever introduced into a Quebec herd.
https://www.upa.qc.ca/producteur/fo...tegie-quebecoise-de-prevention-et-de-controle
--------------------------------------
Beware of avian influenza in cattle!
Dairy producers and veterinarians are called upon to monitor
By Marie-Josée Parent
Posted: 22 hours ago
Beware of avian influenza in cattle!
Even if avian influenza in cattle, an emerging disease in the United States, is absent in Canada, that does not mean that it cannot occur here. This is why dairy producers are encouraged to work with their veterinarians to monitor their animals for avian influenza.
The chief veterinary doctor at the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), Luc Bergeron, presented a webinar organized by the Quebec Milk Producers on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The purpose of this training was to explain what is being done to prevent this disease from entering Canada, how to detect it and explain what will happen if a case is ever reported.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious viral disease in poultry. It has been detected in 422 poultry farms in Canada, including 54 in Quebec since April 2022. It is a disease that must be declared to MAPAQ and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In poultry, the strategy is to eradicate the disease by euthanizing the flock.
Emerging disease
In dairy cattle, avian influenza is an emerging disease. In February-March, an emerging disease was detected in dairy cattle in Texas. On March 25, avian influenza was detected in a flock in Texas. Since then, 36 American dairy farms have tested positive for avian influenza in nine states.
Luc Bergeron explains that the main route of transmission of the disease is through milk, probably through contaminated milking equipment. This is probably what happened in the United States. According to analyzes carried out in the United States, the cases that occurred came from a single case. According to Luc Bergeron, this probably occurred from a contaminated dead bird which contaminated a source of drinking water for cattle. American studies subsequently demonstrated that the movement of cattle from infected herds subsequently allowed the transmission of the disease.
There are three reasons why we are interested in this disease. First, avian influenza causes a reduction in milk production on affected farms. There is therefore an economic aspect for the targeted herds. Second, it is a new reservoir for the virus which causes significant losses in poultry, dairy and international trade. Third, there is a fear that this strain will mutate and become a significant disease in humans, which is not currently the case. “We want to prevent this virus from spreading as much as possible,” explains Luc Bergeron.
On-farm monitoring
Dairy producers are encouraged to monitor the following three main clinical signs:
– decrease in milk production, including a significant decrease for certain cows;
– milk with a thicker consistency than usual, which resembles colostrum;
– reduction in feed consumption with a simultaneous decline in ruminal motility.
The disease affects older dairy cows more severely and those over 150 days in milk. In a herd, approximately 10% demonstrate clinical signs. They are present for 10 to 14 days, but it can take 3 to 6 weeks before the herd returns to normal, while the other cows become infected and heal.
If you observe these symptoms, Luc Bergeron explains that you must contact your veterinarian who will make an observation and take the necessary analyzes. This is a reportable illness.
Flock positive for avian influenza
If the test is positive, the herd will be isolated. No animal will be able to leave for the entire duration of the illness and for the following 30 days. The calves and animals planned for culling will have to stay on the farm, which could be the most difficult part for breeders, according to Luc Bergeron.
Milk from animals that are not sick can be delivered for human consumption since pasteurization kills the virus. However, Luc Bergeron does not recommend serving raw milk to calves.
How to prevent?
The CFIA, provinces, territories and industry are collaborating on a control strategy. Quebec is currently developing and implementing a Quebec prevention, surveillance and control strategy. Dr. Bergeron is also very proud of the progress of the work in Quebec.
On the farm, the main prevention measure is to limit the introduction of dairy cattle, particularly those from regions where cases of this disease have been confirmed. If animals must be introduced, Luc Bergeron recommends that these introductions respect the usual recommendations of the purchasing protocol.
As of April 29, 2024, the CFIA requires that lactating U.S. dairy cows have tested negative for avian influenza within 7 days prior to export.
According to Luc Bergeron, going out to pasture is not a concern since the virus has been present in Quebec for years and going out to pasture has never been a problem.
Let's stay positive in the face of the threat
Luc Bergeron believes that it is possible to ensure that the disease does not occur in Quebec. He cites the example of the fight of pig breeders against the entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea around ten years ago into Quebec. Quebec then did very well while the other provinces had many more cases.
“Today, the message I am sending you is: Quebec Milk Producers, we must be positive about that,” said Luc Bergeron. We must fight. We must collaborate with the various stakeholders in the sector. And I put my trust 100% in your hands, the milk producers. I know that in the past milk producers have always collaborated on this type of initiative. Veterinarians have always collaborated and I have complete confidence. »
It is possible to watch or rewatch the webinar by clicking this link .
https://www.lebulletin.com/elevage/influenza-aviaire-bovins-surveillance-webinaire-133538