Key Takeaways:
- Movement Restrictions Issued: The Maryland Department of Agriculture has restricted dairy cattle movements from states with confirmed HPAI outbreaks to prevent the spread into Maryland.
- Confirmed Cases in the U.S.: States including Texas, Kansas, and six others have reported HPAI in dairy cattle, linked to interactions with wild birds.
- Human and Animal Health: One human case of HPAI has been confirmed in Texas; however, the risk to public health remains low, with no impact on the safety of pasteurized dairy products.
Background
The Maryland Department of Agriculture today announced stringent new measures restricting the movement of dairy cattle from states affected by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain. This decision follows recent detections of the virus in dairy herds across several states, including Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, Ohio, North Carolina, and New Mexico, which have been linked to wild birds.
Details of the Outbreak
The presence of HPAI H5N1 in cattle was confirmed last week by USDA National Veterinary Laboratory Services following reports of increased sickness and reduced milk production in affected herds. While no cases have been reported in Maryland’s cattle as yet, the state is taking preemptive actions to ensure the virus does not compromise its livestock industries.
Statements from Maryland Officials
“Maryland is home to a robust dairy and cattle genetics industry. We are implementing this order to protect our farmers and the agricultural industry at large,” explained Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. He emphasized the importance of stringent biosecurity measures to isolate sick cattle and quarantine new arrivals for at least two weeks.
Human Health Implications
In addition to the impact on livestock, a human case of HPAI was identified in Texas on April 1, confirmed by the CDC. The affected individual’s case has prompted health evaluations, though the CDC continues to assess the public health risk from H5N1 as low. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reassured the public that dairy products remain safe as they are pasteurized, which eliminates pathogens.
FDA Recommendations
The FDA advises that milk from symptomatic or exposed cows should not enter the human food chain unless pasteurized. This precaution is to ensure that all dairy products remain safe for consumption, with the pasteurization process sufficient to neutralize the virus.
Biosecurity Measures
To mitigate the spread of HPAI, Maryland’s agriculture officials have outlined several biosecurity recommendations for poultry and livestock owners:
- Routine Practices: Implement biosecurity measures daily to protect agricultural animals.
- Vigilance and Reporting: Monitor for illness signs, understand disease symptoms, and report suspicions to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
- Expert Consultation: Poultry owners can seek specific advice by contacting state experts via email at MD.Birdflu@maryland.gov.
Photo by Jakob Cotton on Unsplash
