Avian flu detected in NC dairy cows
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or “bird flu” has been detected in a dairy herd in North Carolina, according to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Bird flu had also previously been detected in dairy herds in Texas, Kansans, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico and Ohio. Officials believe movements of the cattle from affected herds in these states to N.C. have been suspended.
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“This is an evolving situation, and we are waiting for more diagnostics from NVSL and will work collaboratively with our federal partners and dairy farmers in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have spent years developing methods to handle HPAI in poultry, but this is new and we are working with our state and federal partners to develop protocols to handle this situation. It is important to note the FDA has no concern about the safety or availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide.”
“The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the NC Department of Health and Human Services are in close communication on this matter. Both agencies believe the overall risk to the general public remains low,” NCDHHS said in a written statement. “There are no concerns with the safety of the commercial milk supply at this time because products are pasteurized before entering the market. People should not consume or prepare food with raw or unpasteurized milk.”
For more information on HPAI in dairy herds across the country, click here.
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