Bird flu confirmed in O'Brien County dairy cows

O'Brien County landed an unwanted first-place designation last week.

The county on June 5 was the first in Iowa to have a confirmed bird flu outbreak in a dairy herd. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, a second detection was confirmed in a Sioux County herd on June 7.

To date, there have been more than 80 confirmed bird flu cases on dairy farms spanning 10 states, including South Dakota.

"Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a news release.

Unlike bird flu outbreaks at poultry farms, dairy cattle do not need to be culled when the virus' presence is confirmed. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

"We know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry," Naig said. "Our team at the department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds."

The most recent bird flu outbreak at an Iowa poultry operation was confirmed June 2 at a Cherokee County commercial turkey farm.

"Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the department," Naig said. "Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them."

As far as the food supply, the department of agriculture says consumers are safe when using both poultry and dairy products. You should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. It is a longstanding practice that only milk from healthy animals may enter the food supply. There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products, which has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk.

While some dairy cows have died in the U.S., most recover 10-14 days after the initial infection. Symptoms include: Decreased food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination; clear nasal discharge; drop in milk production; tacky or loose feces; lethargy; dehydration; fever; and thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk.

The virus poses a low risk to humans – so far, three dairy workers in the U.S. have tested positive for avian influenza. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests people who interact with sick or dead animals should wear personal protective equipment.

"This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response," Naig said.