High Path Avian Flu-related poultry cases have drastically slowed in recent months thanks to improvements in biosecurity. It is lessons from that industry that have the dairy industry taken notice ever since the virus was discovered in cattle more than two months ago.
Since the outbreak in poultry began more than two years ago, animal health experts have stressed the importance of keeping facilities clean and have urged farmers to develop biosecurity measures. Those changes have helped keep new cases at bay. Dairy farmers are also trying to heighten their efforts, and USDA has even put in new testing and travel requirements.
However, despite those moves, new cases are still appearing in dairy herds. Over the last week, three more states have confirmed cases, including Iowa, Minnesota, and Wyoming. For both industries, USDA is looking at vaccines. In poultry, it would ideally be distributed through food and water. For cattle, it would be available for calves.
USDA says the food supply remains safe.
