10 U.S. states have reported dairy cows with bird flu

(KBSI) – The CDC has put an alert out to the public of an ongoing multistate outbreak of the bird flu.

According to the U.S Department of Health a strain of bird flu has been found in cows in the U.S. For the first time ever, scientists say that H5N1 is very common in birds but cows not so much.

Mark Ernst is the vet for the State of Illinois, and he says the virus also known as the bird flu doesn’t seem to be deadly in cows. Ernst says the morbidity rates have been low, but they experience virus like symptoms. 

“They seem to have more of a mild type illness. Some of those cows will have thickened milk almost colostrum type milk. They’ll run fever, they’ll be off feed, will have lose stools while others will have more firm stools which will be consistent more with dehydration and some will run fevers as well.”

According to the CDC 10 different states have seen dairy cattle test positive for H5N1 since March of this year and although the virus doesn’t seem to be deadly Ernst says it does affect milk production which could become an issue.

“Any cows that would be affected by the cows or by the disease that milk should not go in for public use and should be disposed of.”

The USDA has also put out travel requirements.

“The USDA has issued a federal order that requires mandatory testing of lactating dairy cows. So, if those cows were to be moved between states which would be interstate commerce they need to be tested prior to movement,” says Ernst.

The CDC website states two people have tested positive for the H5N1 virus, so although it’s very uncommon it is possible for humans to contract the virus. They say they are continuing to monitor and investigate the situation.