SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The
Utah Department of Agriculture is tightening requirements on the movement of dairy cows into the state as a spreading illness is affecting lactating cows in nearby New
Mexico and Texas. Signs point to the illness, which causes older dairy cows to suddenly produce less milk, to be highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Other symptoms include lethargy and loss of appetite. The initially mysterious illness was first reported in
Texas and later found in New Mexico and Kansas. In a statement Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that samples from sick cows in Texas and Kansas tested positive for highly-pathogenic avian influenza. “Based on findings from Texas, the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds,” the statement said, adding that dead birds were found on the affected farms. Federal officials noted that there’s currently nothing to suggest that the recent changes in the virus could make it more transmittable to humans. They also said that the illness poses little threat to the commercial milk supply. “Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products,” the statement said. Still, Utah is taking precautions, whether the illness is highly pathogenic bird flu or something else. Bailee Woolstenhulme, spokesperson for the Utah Department of Agriculture, said the Beehive State will tighten restrictions on health certificates on imported dairy cows. “Any lactating dairy cattle being imported into Utah from these affected states, they have to have a health certificate signed by a veterinarian within seven days of importation stating they were not showing symptoms and presumed healthy,” she said. Currently, there are no cases of the illness in Utah cows. However, if the illness is indeed highly pathogenic avian flu, Woolstenhulme said it would be hard to stop it from getting into Utah if it is spread by migrating wild birds. Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission said the virus found in the recently diagnosed cows is the Type A H5N1 strain, which is known for causing deadly outbreaks in birds and occasional transmission to humans. These confirmed cattle illnesses in Texas come a week after officials in Minnesota announced that a goat on a farm had contracted highly pathogenic bird flu . This marked the first time a case of its kind was detected in a ruminant or U.S. livestock. Previously, the virus had been found in wild mammals, particularly scavengers. Two years ago in Utah, Woolstenhulme said that bird flu was found in a fox and a mountain lion. If the disease does become widespread in U.S. dairy cows, Woolstenhulme said it shouldn’t affect most consumers as the pasteurization process kills viruses like influenza in the milk. “The biggest thing to know is your food is safe,” she said. Federal officials said the milk in the affected cattle was either diverted or destroyed and did not enter the food supply. As investigation into the illness continues, agriculture officials in Utah and at the federal level are urging farmers and veterinarians to report any cases of cattle illness to curb the potential impacts to industry, consumers and other animals.