On Monday, California announced another 41 infected cow herds, bringing their total to 335. Today, just 3 days later, that number has jumped again by 63, bringing them to 398 infected herds and the nation to 612.
At this point more than 1/3rd of California's (roughly 1,100) herds have tested positive. What we don't know is how many herds that have been tested, have come back negative.
Once again, most states are not aggressively testing bulk milk, or cattle, for the virus. Only 4 non-affected states (Arkansas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) currently require precautionary bulk milk testing, and most states that have reported outbreaks do not have mandatory testing.
As a result we continue to fly blind in regards to how many herds are affected, across how many states, and whether those numbers are increasing or declining.
The USDA also updated the number of backyard and commercial poultry flocks that have been affected, with 13 outbreaks across 7 states (Alaska, California, Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, and Hawaii) added since Monday's update.
Since `bird flu season' generally begins in mid October, we've only just begun this year's battle.
