United States: Epidemiologists at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have investigated and determined where and how the spread of the H5N1 virus in Michigan came from. The entry point of all the affected facilities was traced to a single dairy herd that had been inadvertently introduced in the spring with infected cows imported from a Texas dairy farm. Then, it appeared from there, affecting poultry farmers in the state.
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To this, it has not been ascertained how the Texan dairy cow got the virus but some have genetically deduced it to be via some dead waterfowl in the area.
In Michigan, the virus was reported to have expanded beyond the barnyard, affecting local poultry industries, with this coming out clearly in a USDA report that was issued on June 9.
Consequently, H5N1 detections in poultry have been encountered in Newaygo County. These are the counties that have both poultry and cattle detections, namely Ottawa, Ionia, and Gratiot.
H5N1 has also been confirmed in seven other countries in central and western Michigan only in cattle, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said in their statistics up to May 24.
The total number of dairy herds infected reached twenty-five as of June 12, according to the statement of Tim Boring, the director of MDARD. Furthermore, seven poultry operations and one backyard flock surrendered.
Michigan Sen. Sam Singh, who is a member of the state’s Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, said, “This is a crisis situation,” as toledoblade.com reported.
What are the steps taken by the health experts?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Wednesday offered USD 28,000 per HPAI-impacted dairy farm. It was for the participation in further happening epidemiological investigations with the USDA.
According to Mr. Boring, “We understand our dairy farmers are facing unprecedented challenges, and this action is an important step toward supporting them during this emergency,” and “The research opportunities through this package will help us advance science in real-time to best develop our continued rapid response.”
However, the dairy workers of Michigan were not wholly prepared for the major rise in H5N1 avian flu virus infection among dairy cattle.
Also, the poultry workers were surprised by this never-before-seen vector for transmission.
“This is a disease in dairies that we have not had in the past,” Mr. Boring added.
As viewed in the USDA report, the likelihood of spread in Michigan is likely to have resulted from interactions between the workers undertaking both dairy and poultry businesses, the milk collectors who have close contact with the infected cows, resulting in relocation of their services from farm to the other, or even veterinarians.
Although, many wild birds are harboring this virus as of now, there was no signs that this outbreak begun with strange wild birds in Michigan.
According to Mr. Boring, “We know the cows are not visiting the poultry farms,” as toledoblade.com reported.
Also, as it has never happened before that cows carried the H5N1 virus, biocontainment regulations have not yet been a primary step for any dairy operation.
Mr. Boring added, “There is a lot of concern and trepidation on the part of farmers,” and “Farms want to be protecting themselves.”