Yesterday the state of Oklahoma released a statement stating they were the 13th state to detect an infected herd (see below), but the samples were collected last April, and only recently sent to the USDA for testing.
In other words, we are finding out 3 months after-the-fact. It isn't clear why these samples were held back from testing, or even by who.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Oklahoma Dairy Herd
OKLAHOMA CITY — The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in an Oklahoma dairy herd.
The positive sample was collected by the dairy in April and recently submitted to USDA APHIS for testing. The dairy herd has fully recovered, and the farm has not reported any other cases of HPAI.
There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. The commercial milk supply remains safe due to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization.Oklahoma is the 13th state to have a confirmed positive case of HPAI in a dairy herd.
“We have been monitoring detections of HPAI in other states since the first detection in March,” said Oklahoma State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall. “Our team has been in constant communication with Oklahoma dairies asking them to heighten their biosecurity practices. PPE has also been made available to Oklahoma dairy farmers.”Some clinical signs of HPAI in dairy cattle are:
- A drop in rumination
- A decline in feed intake
- A decrease in milk yield
- Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Fever
If dairy farmers suspect cases of HPAI, please call ODAFF at 405-522-6141.
For more information on HPAI in dairy cattle, including recommended biosecurity measures, please visit the ODAFF Disease Alerts page.
Another reminder that `no news' isn't necessarily `good news', and that far too often HPAI spillovers are being treated as economic or political `problems' rather than a public health concern.
