USDA confirms bird flu case in Wisconsin dairy herd as new wildlife spillover

America Division of Agriculture on Friday confirmed {that a} case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Wisconsin dairy herd marked a brand new spillover occasion from wildlife to cattle, separate from earlier outbreaks.

The virus, recognized as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1., was confirmed by means of entire genome sequencing by the Nationwide Veterinary Companies Laboratories on December 17, USDA’s Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service mentioned in a press release.

It mentioned most detections of extremely pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. dairy herds have resulted from actions linked to an authentic spillover occasion that occurred in Texas in late 2023, involving the B3.13 pressure.

Earlier this yr, two remoted spillovers have been detected in Nevada and Arizona, involving the D1.1 pressure.

The Wisconsin case, detected underneath USDA’s Nationwide Milk Testing Technique, has not led to further herd infections, APHIS mentioned.

USDA mentioned the findings don’t pose a risk to consumer health or the business milk provide, as pasteurization kills the virus and milk from affected animals is diverted or destroyed.

It added that the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention continues to think about the chance to the general public to be low.

USDA urged dairy producers to keep up strict biosecurity and report any livestock exhibiting scientific indicators or uncommon wildlife deaths.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators final week urged the administration of President Donald Trump to finalize a science-based plan for growing a chook flu vaccine for livestock, in line with a letter seen by Reuters.

— Reporting by Anjana Anil in Bengaluru

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