#17,978
The first confirmation of HPAI in dairy cattle came just 7 days ago, and already at least 5 states (Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, and Idaho) have reported infected herds. Agencies are scrambling to provide guidance (see CDC Interim Recommendations) even as they begin to assess the situation and evaluate the risks.
While the overriding message from government agencies has been one of reassurance, there is much we don't know about the long-term impact of this discovery. There are hints the virus may be transmitting from cow-to-cow - and while only dairy cows are implicated right now - we don't know how widespread the virus has become.
None of this means that the virus is ready for prime time, but this is another milestone for a virus that over the past few years has repeatedly exceeded our expectations both in terms of its geographic spread and host range.
Over the weekend the USDA/APHIS added a 4th category of HPAI tracking to their website; Livestock.
While it doesn't currently list outbreaks (as it does with Confirmations in Wild birds, Commercial and Backyard flocks, and Wild Mammals), it does provide a growing array of Biosecurity Guidance Resources along with links to CDC and FDA guidance.
A small sampling includes:
And.
Over the next few days we will hopefully learn a lot more about this HPAI incursion into cattle, but for now it is important that people take the biosecurity advice on offer seriously.
And that advice isn't just for farmers.
As we saw last week, in CDC Updated Advice On Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals - while the risks are currently pretty low - HPAI has at least some potential to affect anyone, no matter where they live.
