Bird Flu Detected in Eight Dairy Operations in Cache County
LOGAN — Eight commercial dairy operations in Cache County have tested positive for bird flu, according to officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
The announcement comes a week after mandatory testing was put into place for all dairies in the county, where officials began taking weekly tank samples. “Initial samples from all Cache County dairies were sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan,” a press release sent out Wednesday says.
The eight positive dairies have been placed under quarantine, meaning no cattle are permitted to move on or off the facility grounds — except if going directly to slaughter, according to the release.
The bird flu was first detected in March at a Texas dairy, though it had been “circulating in poultry and wild birds in the United States since 2022,” according to the agriculture department website. The disease has spread to 14 states since, according to Caroline Hargraves, a spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
A commercial poultry flock in Cache County tested positive for avian bird flu earlier this month, forcing the culling of an estimated 1,852,900 chickens, according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s poultry flock outbreak online dashboard.
Data on cattle herd detections have not been updated on the website.
State veterinarian Daniel Christensen said they “don’t anticipate any major impacts on the food supply, and the overall impacts to individual dairies are relatively minimal. This disease is not as harmful to dairy cattle as it is to poultry.”
The bird flu, which is fatal to poultry, is “often transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry,” according to Hargraves.
The department is encouraging dairy and poultry owners to watch herds and flocks for signs of the disease, which include decreased milk production, thicker milk, decreased consumption, dehydration, and fever in dairy cattle. “Most dairy cattle recover within a few weeks,” he said. Not all dairy cattle will show symptoms, however.
In poultry, symptoms include “high death loss among flocks, nasal discharge, decreased appetite or water consumption, and lack of coordination,” Hargraves says.
Resources to help prevent the spread and obtain financial assistance for testing and prevention can be found online, at www.ag.utah.gov/dairy-cattle-and-avian-influenza.
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
Expert Discussion
Moderator: Let’s welcome our guests today: Dr. Lisa Adams, an avian disease specialist, and John Rogers, a livestock economist.
Dr. Adams: The situation we have with the bird flu in Cache County is serious. This outbreak emphasizes the importance of biosecurity measures on farms.
John Rogers: While the immediate impact on food supply seems minimal, it’s crucial for the industry to be vigilant. Economic ripple effects can come from consumer perception and market responses.
Moderator: Dr. Adams, what steps should farmers take to ensure their operations are safe?
Dr. Adams: Farmers should implement strict biosecurity measures if they haven’t already. This includes limiting access to premises, monitoring bird health frequently, and reporting signs of illness immediately.
John Rogers: And I would add to that: during outbreaks, it’s also vital for farmers to stay informed on market trends. The economic landscape can shift rapidly based on such health crises.
Call to Action
We want to hear from you! How do you feel about the current situation with bird flu affecting dairy operations in Cache County? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Caroline Hargraves, Spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Editor: Good afternoon, Caroline! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent detection of bird flu in Cache County’s dairy operations. It seems like a concerning situation for local farmers and consumers. Could you start by explaining how the bird flu was able to spread to these dairy operations?
Caroline Hargraves: Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. The bird flu, or avian influenza, often spreads from wild birds to domestic poultry. Since it has been circulating within the poultry and wild bird populations in the U.S. since 2022, the initial outbreak originated in a Texas dairy back in March. After implementing mandatory testing for all dairies in Cache County, we found eight that tested positive and subsequently placed them under quarantine.
Editor: That’s quite significant. You mentioned that there had been prior positive tests in poultry. Could you elaborate on the scale of these outbreaks and what measures were taken in response?
Caroline Hargraves: Certainly. Earlier this month, we had a commercial poultry flock in Cache County that tested positive, leading to the culling of approximately 1.85 million chickens to mitigate the disease’s spread. The state has been proactive in monitoring, requiring weekly tank samples from all dairies, which has helped in identifying and quarantining the infected operations quickly.
Editor: It’s good to hear that measures are being taken. I understand that dairy cattle are generally not as severely affected by bird flu compared to poultry. Can you tell us more about the potential impact on the dairy industry?
Caroline Hargraves: Absolutely. The overall impacts on individual dairies in Cache County are relatively minimal at this time. State veterinarian Daniel Christensen has indicated that we don’t anticipate any major impacts on the food supply. While some dairy cattle may show symptoms like decreased milk production or dehydration, most recover within a few weeks. It’s important for dairy owners to keep a close eye on their herds for any signs of illness.
Editor: I appreciate that context. What recommendations does the department have for dairy and poultry owners in light of these outbreaks?
Caroline Hargraves: We encourage all dairy and poultry owners to be vigilant and monitor their herds and flocks closely. Key symptoms to watch for include decreased milk production, thicker milk, increased fever, and dehydration in dairy cattle. For poultry, signs include high death rates within flocks, nasal discharge, and lack of coordination. Additionally, we’ve provided online resources for owners seeking financial assistance for testing and prevention measures.
Editor: It seems like education and awareness are crucial right now. How can interested individuals access those resources?
Caroline Hargraves: Our website offers a variety of resources for prevention, reporting symptoms, and obtaining financial assistance. They can visit www.ag.utah.gov/dairy-cattle-and-avian-influenza/ for more information.
Editor: Thank you, Caroline. Before we wrap up, what is your message to local consumers who might be worried about the safety of dairy products amid this outbreak?
Caroline Hargraves: I understand the concern, but I want to reassure consumers that the risk to the food supply is minimal. Dairy products from healthy cows are safe to consume. The department is actively monitoring the situation and will continue to take necessary actions to protect both animal health and public safety.
Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Caroline. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you. We hope things stabilize soon for the dairy operations in Cache County.
Caroline Hargraves: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss this important issue.