Raw milk remains the best sample for influenza testing as affected cows shed high numbers of viral particles in their milk. Several affected states instituted bulk milk testing and USDA recently announced their plan to test bulk milk to better understand the prevalence of H5N1 nationally.
Since the start of the outbreak in dairy cattle, 32 flocks consisting of over 20 million birds have been depopulated from infections with the dairy cattle strain of HPAI (H5N1 strain B3.13). Diligent biosecurity in the dairy industry is critical to the safety of our nation’s poultry flocks.
The Influenza A virus is known to occasionally infect humans, particularly those exposed to high levels of the virus. Because of this, those individuals working closely with potentially infected animals and raw milk from those animals, should take extra precautions to limit their exposure.
It is important to keep a bigger global health perspective in mind about Influenza A. This virus infects and replicates in many animal hosts. Influenza viruses are prone to mutation each time they replicate, creating an opportunity for the virus to develop a strain that can more easily infect humans and spread from person to person. Thankfully, this has not happened yet.
Be the first to comment