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The state Agricultural Department for North Carolina has published a brief statement acknowledging that a local dairy herd has tested positive for HPAI (see below). Beyond that, details are scant.
This makes the 7th state to confirm HPAI in dairy cows, and reaffirms the need for more testing.
While it may not be the most welcome of news, the more diligently you look, the more likely you are to find cases.
High Path Avian Influenza detected in North Carolina dairy herd
RALEIGH
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory has detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a dairy herd in North Carolina. HPAI has previously been detected in dairy herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, and Ohio. Movement of cattle from affected herds in these states to North Carolina has been suspended.
“This is an evolving situation, and we are waiting for more diagnostics from NVSL and will work collaboratively with our federal partners and dairy farmers in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have spent years developing methods to handle HPAI in poultry, but this is new and we are working with our state and federal partners to develop protocols to handle this situation. It is important to note the FDA has no concern about the safety or availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide.”
More information from USDA on HPAI in dairy herds in the United States is located at this link -
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-dairy-faqs.pdf.
Guidance from FDA on milk safety during HPAI outbreaks is available at this link - https://www.fda.gov/food/milk-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/questions-and-answers-regarding-milk-safety-during-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreaks#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20limited%20information,those%20infected%20with%20avian%20influenza.
NCDA&CS updates information on avian influenza on their website at this link- https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza.
