A new variant of H5N1, or avian flu, has been detected in dairy cows in Churchill County, Nevada. The strain, D1.1, is believed to have originated from wild waterfowl and has never been documented in domesticated animals before.
“This is another spill-over event from wild waterfowl,” said JJ Goicoechea, Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture. “We’re seeing very mild signs in the cows, but we need to take precautions to prevent further spread.”
The virus has been detected in two dairy farms in Churchill County and one in southern Nevada, with a total of seven herds quarantined so far. The farms have approximately 50,000 cows under quarantine.
While there are concerns about potential human exposure, the risk remains low. According to Goicoechea, most cases reported in humans were mild and had conjunctivitis or respiratory irritation. The general public has no reason to worry, as pasteurization is effective in killing the virus, and raw milk sales are prohibited in Nevada.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture is working closely with dairy operators to improve biosecurity measures, reduce wildlife access to farms, and monitor the spread of the disease. Goicoechea reminds the public that handling dead birds found on their properties is essential and can be done by contacting Wildlife Services or the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Source: https://www.2news.com/news/bird-flu-affects-50-000-cows-in-the-state-of-nevada/article_1f968332-e4f5-11ef-a8d6-6797aa597922.html