Highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in unpasteurized milk from diseased dairy cows in some areas. Veterinary and public health agencies are investigating an illness in dairy cows.

The first cases appear to have been introduced into herds in Texas and Kansas by wild birds; the USDA said transmission between cattle was also possible. Agricultural officials in Michigan and Ohio said infected herds in those states received cattle from Texas. Subsequently, they confirmed infections in Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, which became the tenth state to report an outbreak of HPAI in a dairy herd. The United States has confirmed cases in more than 80 herds nationwide since late March and three dairy workers have tested positive.

HPAI has not been detected in dairy cows or other livestock in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is monitoring the situation closely, has implemented measures to prevent the disease from reaching the country and has issued a new page to update new information.

The CFIA considers that HPAI does not constitute a food safety issue and the risk of transmission to humans remains low.

For the latest updates in US, visit USDA website HPAI in the United States.

Fore more information in canada, visit ACIA website Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock