By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The avian flu reported earlier this week at a Wood County dairy operation has been contained to that farm, based on Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge.
This is the primary case of fowl flu in a livestock operation in Ohio.
An estimated 10 p.c of the dairy herd has been contaminated, Baldridge mentioned on Thursday. Baldridge wouldn’t establish the dairy operation the place avian influenza was discovered, however mentioned it’s a “large dairy.” Some giant dairy operations in Wood County have as many as 4,000 cows.
The native dairy operation reportedly acquired cows on March 8 from a Texas dairy, which later reported a confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza amongst its livestock. Baldridge mentioned the cows transported to Wood County got here from “ground zero” of the fowl flu instances.
The cows have been transported to Ohio previous to the cows in Texas displaying indicators or signs of the virus, he mentioned.
Once in Wood County, among the cows started displaying indicators of fowl flu – decreased appetites adopted by considerably decreased milk manufacturing, Baldridge mentioned.
The cows examined optimistic for avian flu, and ODA despatched the outcomes to a USDA lab for affirmation.
The ODA is working with the dairy, however no lockdown orders have been issued for the reason that farm is self-containing the contaminated cows, Baldridge mentioned.
Avian influenza has now been confirmed in dairy cows in seven states. The USDA is conducting assessments to find out if the sickness is spreading by direct contact between cows, or in the course of the milking course of when milking tools is moved from cow to cow, Baldridge mentioned.
State and native veterinarians are working with the proprietor of the Wood County dairy to isolate the cows, that are recovering from the sickness, Baldridge mentioned. Milking of the contaminated cows should proceed, however the milk doesn’t undergo the manufacturing line, he mentioned.
While cows are capable of recuperate from avian flu, many birds can not, Baldridge mentioned.
According to the CDC, avian influenza viruses are very contagious amongst birds, and may sicken and even kill sure domesticated fowl species, together with chickens, geese and turkeys.
Infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses of their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds change into contaminated after they have contact with the virus as it’s shed by contaminated birds. They can also change into contaminated by contact with surfaces which might be contaminated with virus from contaminated birds.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses trigger extreme illness and excessive mortality in contaminated poultry. The virus can unfold quickly by poultry flocks.
Though uncommon, HPAI viruses have additionally induced gentle to extreme sickness in contaminated people, based on the CDC.
The Wood County Health Department has been contacted by the ODA, which has requested the affected dairy farm to report any sickness amongst staff to the well being division. As of Friday morning, no instances of sickness had been reported to the well being division.
Because of the intense menace to birds, efforts have been ongoing at poultry farms to maintain exterior birds from contaminating their flocks.
“The poultry industry has taken huge measures of bio-security,” to maintain different birds out, Baldridge mentioned.
Ohio noticed a spike in avian flu at poultry farms in October, he mentioned. It was believed that was attributable to migrating birds spreading the illness. There are not any herds being quarantined at present, Baldridge mentioned.
Baldridge applauded the collaboration between the ODA, USDA and the Dairy Association to take care of the fowl flu amongst dairy cows.
“Our dairy products are safe,” he mentioned. “So enjoy your milk, your cheese and your ice cream.”
The USDA, CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration, in addition to state veterinary and public well being officers, proceed to research the rising sickness amongst dairy cows.
According to the FDA and CDC, there isn’t any concern concerning the security of commercially pasteurized dairy merchandise attributable to each federal animal well being necessities and pasteurization.
Federal and state companies proceed to conduct further testing of sick animals and unpasteurized medical milk samples from sick animals, in addition to viral genome sequencing, to evaluate whether or not HPAI or one other unrelated sickness could also be underlying any signs.
ODA is working with state trade companions and federal companies to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle diseases shortly, to observe potential further instances and reduce the affect and danger to farmers, farmworkers, shoppers, and different animals.
