An avian flu infection that spread through Texas cattle herds has spread to humans and chickens. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said this. Luck Officials are still hopeful the outbreak can be contained but have advised consumers to stop drinking unpasteurized milk until health authorities are sure it is safe.
“We’re seeing that some of the milk is hot – at first we thought it wasn’t being transferred from animal to animal, but now we’re rethinking that,” Miller said. “It’s probably best not to consume unpasteurized dairy products.”
Agricultural agencies in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico began receiving reports last month of an unidentified virus affecting dairy cows in the region. After weeks of testing, it turned out to be HPAI, a disease spread by migratory birds that had contaminated the cows’ water. Authorities said last week they were confident the outbreak could be contained.
However, a week later the situation becomes even more serious. Cows in Idaho and Michigan also tested positive for the virus. A Dairy worker contracted HPAI infection and had mild symptoms including conjunctivitis, Texas Department of Health and Human Services. reported Monday. Yesterday, the Texas Department of Agriculture reported that the outbreak had occurred. distribution to Cal-Maine Foodslargest egg producer in the country.
Cal Maine is killing nearly 2 million chickens, about 4% of its population, and destroying millions more eggs to contain the virus. Miller said the virus still shouldn’t have a significant economic impact in terms of commodity prices.
“[Cal-Maine] is our largest egg producer in the United States, but accounts for less than 4% of the farm. So I don’t think we’re going to see an increase in egg or poultry prices,” Miller said. “It’s the same with dairy products – it’s a very, very small amount [the] the overall picture. Consumers are absolutely safe.”
Authorities are still unsure whether HPAI can be transmitted through milk from infected dairy cows – hence the warnings against unpasteurized milk. By law, all milk sold out of state must be pasteurized, but unpasteurized. milk is legal in dozens of states and raw milk and cheese are common at many farmers’ markets. Miller said consumers should not worry about the eggs because all potentially hot (or contaminated) eggs have been destroyed.
Miller said the Texas Department of Agriculture and other authorities are working to get answers about how the virus spreads and contain it as quickly as possible, providing much-needed aid to the Texas Panhandle region recently devastated by the largest wildfire in state history.
“We highly recommend this [workers] use biosecurity measures, especially workers handling cattle,” Miller said. “[We’re recommending] respiratory coverings, workers covering their eyes, things like that.”