State officials take steps to avoid spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, and New Mexico.

Symptoms of the virus in dairy cattle include decreased lactation, low appetite, and thickening of milk.

To date, there have been no reported cases of HPAI in livestock within Arkansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture has reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a dairy farm worker tested positive for HPAI in Texas on April 1.

Yesterday in Northwest Arkansas, CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen told Talk Business & Politics that the agency is studying the latest transmission in the dairy cow and the Texas man who worked with the sick animal. She said mammal infections have had mild symptoms, so far, and there are vaccines available.

“We are looking to see if the virus is mutating in any way. Right now, it does not appear to be,” she said.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Arkansas Department of Health are monitoring the situation and taking preventative measures to protect public and animal health within the state.

Per state regulations, the following import restrictions are in effect immediately. No dairy cattle exhibiting clinical signs and testing positive for HPAI will be allowed to move into the state. All dairy cattle entering Arkansas from states affected by HPAI in dairy cattle will require permitting by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and may be required to complete pre-movement testing as determined by the state veterinarian.

Failure to abide by these import requirements will result in a whole premises quarantine on imported animals for 21 days and negative PCR testing for HPAI before release from quarantine.

State officials urge all producers, especially dairy and poultry farmers, to implement strict biosecurity measures on their farms to prevent the spread of the disease.

Arkansas ranks 46th among all states in milk production. Dairy farms in the state generate about $11 million in annual sales, according to Arkansas Farm Bureau. There are 30 registered dairy farms in the state that generate 7 million gallons of milk annually.