USDA Confirms More Avian Flu in Us Dairy Cattle and Poultry

By Lisa Schnirring

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed 25 more H5N1 avian flu outbreaks in dairy cattle, all from California. The developments lift California's total to 461 infected herds and the national total in dairy herds to 675 across 15 states since the outbreaks began in March.

The outbreaks in California’s hard-hit Central Valley began toward the end of August, and the virus has affected more than one-third of commercial dairy farms in the state, which is the nation’s largest dairy producer. California is also grappling with several recent outbreaks at large poultry farms, including layer facilities.

Also today, APHIS confirmed two more outbreaks in poultry, which include a backyard flock in Alaska’s Matanuska Susitna County that has 70 birds and a commercial turkey farm in Minnesota’s Meeker County that has 29,900 birds.

Raw milk from H5N1 recall was sold in LA County

In other developments, following the recent detection of H5N1 a raw milk sample by the public health lab in California’s Santa Clara County, Los Angeles County yesterday warned the public about risks from consuming the recalled milk from Raw Farm.

The company, based in Fresno, voluntarily recalled the milk following the H5N1 detection in the retail sample. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health listed 10 retailers that sold the product and said more may be confirmed as the investigation continues.

No related illnesses have been reported. “Health inspectors in LA County will be visiting retail establishments where this product was sold to ensure that it is no longer available for purchase,” the group said.