Some Utah dairy facilities quarantined after avian flu detected
Oct 30, 2024, 4:12 PM | Updated: 4:55 pm
A dairy cow is pictured at a farm in Corrine on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
Our interview with the Utah State Veterinarian:
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — Utah agriculture officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in eight Cache County dairy facilities.
The results of samples taken from all Cache County dairy facilities around October 23, 2024, were confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
According to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, dairies that provided positive samples are under quarantine.
Utah agriculture officials said that along with enacting a quarantine, they are working on response plans, surveillance, and more testing.
According to the CDC, detecting avian influenza does not correlate to an immediate health concern. But those who are in regular or prolonged contact with dairy cattle should contact their local health department if they exhibit symptoms.
These symptoms include:
- fever, cough, or sore throat,
- difficulty breathing, body aches, and
- vomiting.
A quarantine in this instance restricts the movement of lactating cattle at the affected dairies. The dairies must also enact measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Enacting mandatory surveillance and animal movement restrictions are important steps in preventing the further spread of this disease,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Daniel Christiensen in the announcement.
Avian flu in dairy cattle, and the food supply
“At this time we don’t anticipate any major impacts on the food supply and the overall impacts to individual dairies are relatively minimal.”
Christensen also said that “avian flu is not as harmful to dairy cattle as it is to poultry.”
The UDAF recommends dairy and poultry owners to be vigilant and to watch for signs of HPAI among their herds or flocks.
Veterinarians and those who own livestock are required to report signs of HPAI to the Utah State Veterinarian’s Office.
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