Alberta dairy farmers advised to stay vigilant in monitoring herds during U.S. bird flu outbreak

Alberta officials are closely monitoring the ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cows in the United States, as the virus continues to spread across 11 states, including Minnesota and Iowa. Dr. Keith Lehman, the chief provincial veterinarian with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, emphasized the importance of dairy producers staying vigilant and monitoring their herds closely.

Last month, Canada implemented new import requirements mandating that lactating dairy cows from the U.S. must test negative for bird flu within seven days of export. Fortunately, no cases of the disease have been reported in Canadian cows, and all milk sold in stores is pasteurized, effectively killing the virus.

Lehman highlighted various strategies available to dairy farmers to minimize the risk of avian influenza entering and spreading within their herds. These include isolating new animals and testing them for the virus before introducing them to the rest of the herd. Signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle may include reduced milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in milk consistency.

On June 5, the World Health Organization confirmed the first human death caused by a strain of bird flu, although the source of exposure to the virus remains unknown. Lehman emphasized the importance of monitoring the genetics of influenza viruses to assess their potential risks to human health.

While there is a looming risk of influenza viruses becoming greater health threats to humans and potentially spreading from person to person, Lehman reassured that the current situation does not involve human-to-human transmission. Dairy producers are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their herds from the ongoing bird flu outbreak.

With files from The Canadian Press, Alberta officials continue to work diligently to monitor and address the bird flu outbreak, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to safeguard both animal and human health.