By Farms.com
The U.S. dairy industry faces a new challenge as bird flu has infected dairy cows, prompting an investigation into its spread. Research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) points to the milking process, including contaminated equipment and farm workers' clothing, as potential factors in the outbreak.
During a recent virtual international meeting, USDA's Mark Lyons highlighted the risk of virus transmission through milking equipment and workers' attire, particularly gloves and clothing contaminated with milk droplets. The focus is on the H5N1 strain, found primarily in milk samples, suggesting the udder as the virus's replication site, rather than evidence of cow-to-cow transmission through direct contact.
The discovery of bird flu in dairy cattle, now confirmed in six states, has led to a single human infection case in Texas, though the overall risk to the public is deemed low. The USDA's response includes guidelines for enhanced biosecurity on cattle farms to prevent further spread, such as limiting farm access and animal transportation.