UW Extension releases bird flu resource to keep farmers informed on spread of virus

With Colorado becoming the ninth state to confirm bird flu in dairy cattle last Friday, Wisconsin farmers are becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza virus.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Dairy Outreach Specialist Faith Reyes and Kewaunee County Regional Dairy Educator Aericka Bjurstrom recently spoke with RFD-TV host Tammi Arender on the University of Wisconsin Extension Dairy Program's release of resources to help state farmers keep abreast of the spread of the virus and biosecurity protocols to keep in mind.

"Our goal was to be able to take that important information that we're getting from different sources and put them in one place on our website where farmers can use that information to keep updated," Reyes said. "It's an evolving situation so we're adding important information all the time, whether its from USDA APHIS, the CDC or Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)."

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu is an emerging issue that poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of dairy herds. Since the end of March, dairy herds in nine states have tested positive over the past month, along with one dairy worker in Texas.

MORE: USDA: Dairy cattle must be tested for bird flu before moving between states

In a move to curb the spread of bird flu in cattle, the USDA has ordered that lactating dairy cows be tested for the virus before moving to another farm across state lines.

"Wisconsin has not been one of those states that has had a positive test yet, but a lot of farmers are preparing for that situation in case it happens," Bjurstrom said. "Right now we're being cautious as to the impact (the virus) will have on the dairy sector. It's really new and it's hard to figure out exactly what it will do to the dairy industry as a whole."

Reyes and Bjurstrom said dairy farmers and the industry should prioritize strategies aimed at prevention, early detection, biosecurity, and effective management to mitigate the spread of this disease and minimize its adverse effects.

"(Biosecurity protocols) are very important, especially with the Federal Order regarding the interstate transportation of cattle (becoming effective April 29, 2024)." Reyes said. "Being cautious and always monitoring your animals for any symptoms and limiting transportation as much as possible and being aware who is stepping onto your farm in terms of using PPEs (personal protective equipment) or biosecurity measures in place so that we are limiting the spread of the virus."

The website https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu addresses timely topics that farmers can use to navigate this challenging situation: What is HPAI; the current situation in Wisconsin, protecting animals and humans from HPAI and the latest news about the outbreak.