Oklahoma's agriculture department announced on Friday the detection of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd, marking the 13th US state to identify the virus. A sample of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was collected by a farm in April and sent to the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for testing. The department reported that the herd has fully recovered, and no further cases of HPAI have been reported by the farm.
The department reassured the public that the commercial milk supply remains safe, thanks to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization. The first case in a US dairy herd was confirmed on March 25, followed by a positive test in a Texas dairy worker on April 1, sparking concerns about the virus's spread among both animals and humans. Other states with infected herds include Wyoming, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas.
US dairy farmers are taking preventive measures to curb the spread of bird flu, such as banning visitors, removing trees to discourage wild birds, and disinfecting vehicles entering their properties. Oklahoma State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall emphasized the ongoing communication with Oklahoma dairies, urging heightened biosecurity practices and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to dairy farmers.
