Note from Kevin Abernathy, General Manager
As our members know, I have been providing regular updates via direct email for the past couple of weeks regarding the cattle health situation that originated in Texas. We’ve learned a lot, but there are still a lot of unknowns about the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that has now infected cows in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, and Ohio. As of this writing, we are not aware of any cases in California, Arizona, Oregon, or Washington.
The best recommendation we have heard thus far is to focus on your bio-security plan. Make sure you keep good records, including who is coming onto the dairy. If possible, limit the amount of traffic onto the dairy, and above all else, know where your cattle are coming from. Also make sure your milking equipment cleaning protocols are up-to-date and being adhered to.
Effective yesterday, Dr. Jones issued an official Order that states:
1. ORDER
All dairy breed cattle originating from any state(s) where Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome** has, or have been diagnosed, must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and signed by an accredited veterinarian within seven (7) days of transport that includes the following statement:
“All animals identified on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) have been inspected and do not originate from a premises with a confirmed detection of Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome** or that is currently under investigation as a suspect premises.”
** Signs of Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome in cattle include:
• Drop in milk production • Thickened or colostrum-like milk
• Loss of appetite • Low-grade fever
• Changes in manure consistency
2. PURPOSE
he California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) also released the update below last Friday following the publication of the MPC Friday Report. In addition to the thorough and relevant information provided by Dr. Michael Payne, I would add that producers focus on their milking and hygiene protocols to minimize potential cross contamination.
Information Evolving on Mystery Texas Dairy Disease
By Dr. Michael Payne, UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine and Director of CDQAP
Most California producers are keenly aware of reports of dairy herds in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico experiencing a transient but abrupt drop in milk production. With USDA’s announcement that the High Path Avian Influenza virus, HPAI, was isolated from cattle on several affected herds, an important new avenue of investigation has opened up.
Regardless of how it pans out, learning that Avian Influenza has been documented for the first time in cattle could be upsetting. That said, there is at least some amount of good news that can be gleaned from USDA’s announcement and other published literature.
There are no food safety concerns.
Because sick cattle and their milk are prevented from entering the human food supply and because pasteurization kills the influenza virus, we can reassure dairy consumers of complete food safety.
Human risk of contracting Avian Influenza appears negligible.
While sample analysis continues, initial laboratory testing has not yet detected changes in the virus making it more transmissible to humans. In addition, HPAI infection in mammals is a relatively rare event and affected mammals are typically thought of as “dead-end hosts”; they rarely directly transmit the virus to other animals. For instance, in the current U.S. HPAI poultry outbreak involving some 60 million birds, there have been no cases identified of mammal-to-human or human-to-human transmission.
Within the herd, the disease appears to be self-limiting.
HPAI in poultry flocks can kill hundreds of thousands of birds in a matter of days. Regardless of whether or not HPAI is confirmed as the sole disease agent in affected herds, illness seems limited to about 5 to 10% of the milking herd and direct mortality has not been reported. Symptoms have not been reported in calves, growing heifers or dry cows. With routine support, especially hydration, cattle with clinical signs are reported to recover
Affected dairies can recover.
While a terrible event for involved producers, many affected herds have reported a return to near-normal production within 3 weeks.
State animal health officials are on alert.
The disease syndrome has not been identified on any cattle premise in California. CDFA animal health experts are closely monitoring the situation and are in constant communication with state and federal officials in affected states. Border agricultural stations in California are on alert to check that haulers meet requirements for interstate movement, which includes a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI or “health papers”) and entry permits. Persons facilitating movement of livestock into California that carry disease or originating from an affected premise may face criminal penalties (including jail) and administrative fines of up to $1,000/head/day.
There are currently no plans to close California borders.
Exposure of cows to infected wild birds (or their droppings) seems to be the most likely route of exposure to HPAI, although recent cases in ID and MI suggest cow to cow spread can also play a role. For now, precautions already in place reduce the risk of direct introduction into dairies in California and these import requirements will continue to be enforced by California’s Agricultural Border Stations. If you are shipping youngstock between California and affected states, it remains critical that you know the status of the herd of origin and insist on a valid CVI. If it’s determined that a disease poses a significant threat to California cattle that cannot be adequately controlled through the current interstate movement requirements and farm level biosecurity, aggressive regulatory action will be taken.
Currently, California producers need only focus on basic biosecurity procedures. Review source of replacements – During the current situation, it would be prudent to inquire about the movement, housing and health history of the animals to be transported, and their potential exposure to infected premises. Trailers transporting cattle from affected states should be thoroughly cleaned with a power washer and appropriate disinfectant prior to use.
Isolate new arrivals – The most important backstop precaution a producer can take is rigid adherence to an isolation period for new arrivals of at least two weeks. The isolation area should not allow nose-to-nose contact with other cows or share a water source. Such isolation requirements may be difficult to achieve on the home dairy and use of alternative isolation location may be necessary.
Report unusual symptoms – As always, in order to implement early mitigation that limits within-herd spread, as well as prevent spread to other herds, its important producers report unusual disease symptoms to their veterinarian immediately. Right now, this is particularly true if observing multiple animals exhibiting reduced feed intake and rumination or a falling herd-level milk production. While fever and diarrhea have been reported, most premises are reporting tacky to dry manure. The most severely affected cows may stop milking completely or have thickened milk almost resembling colostrum.
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