Nine states have confirmed cases of HPAI so far, all of which are in dairy herds.
The most recent case in Colorado comes after USDA announced travel restrictions in order to help prevent the spread. The federal order also enhances traceability. Dairy vets at Iowa State University say the new rules will help keep dairy herds safer but they protect the birds as well.
”...That it should help keep our herds safer, also to help protect the poultry flocks because there’s some evidence that the same virus may be jumping from some of the dairy herds into some of the poultry flocks. I think it’s so important to try to keep birds out of a dairy as best you can, and then also if you do bring animals in from other herds to have them tested first, which is now going to be the law and the rule, but also to maybe try to quarantine as best you can. So you if they are carrying something doesn’t spread to the rest of the herd,” said Phillip Jardon.
Unlike birds infected with the virus, it appears cows are able to recover. USDA as well as dairy groups continue to remind consumers that the U.S. milk supply is safe.
