Results of a national testing program conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released June 18 showed no evidence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the country’s milk supply. "Commercially sold milk and milk products remain safe to consume," said a release from the CFIA and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). It was also noted that even if traces of the virus were found, the pasteurization process would have rendered them harmless.
Bovine bird flu reports still at zero in Canada
Dairy testing for bird flu expanded in Canada
Non-clinical dairy cattle eligible for funded testing
On June 17, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency updated their guidance for private veterinarians on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The update noted the expanded eligibility for testing, and that the CFIA would cover lab test fees at any Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) lab that is approved to test samples in domestic animals. The agency will not, however, pay veterinarian fees for sample collection or shipment to the lab.
Pasteurization may not clear bird flu virus from heavily infected milk
Reuters – In raw milk samples spiked with high amounts of bird flu virus, small amounts of infectious virus were still detectable after treatment with a standard pasteurization method, researchers said on Friday. The findings reflect experimental conditions in a laboratory and should not be used to draw any conclusions about the safety of the […] Read more
Bird flu continues to spread in U.S. dairy farms
The number of dairy farms in the United States that have reported bird flu among their livestock increased to 94 in a dozen states, according to reports. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control said the risk to humans remains low. The CDC noted it’s monitoring more than 500 people with 45 tested for bird flu. […] Read more
Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows, US agriculture secretary says
Reuters – Twenty-four companies are working to develop an avian flu vaccine for cattle, as the virus spreads among U.S. dairy herds, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Reuters on Wednesday. Bird flu has infected 90 dairy herds across 12 states since late March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Three dairy farm workers […] Read more
EU to secure 40 million avian flu vaccines for 15 countries: officials
Brussels | Reuters – The EU will sign a contract on Tuesday to secure over 40 million doses of a preventative avian flu vaccine for 15 countries with the first shipments heading to Finland, EU officials said on Monday. The deal secures up to 665,000 doses from vaccine manufacturer CSL Seqirus and includes an option […] Read more
US to research possible respiratory spread of bird flu in cows
U.S. federal and state agencies are planning research into potential respiratory spread of bird flu among dairy cattle, according to a Reuters interview with Michigan state agriculture and public health officials.
Bird flu outbreak reported in Minnesota dairy herd, the state’s first
The ongoing U.S. outbreak of avian flu in dairy cattle reached Minnesota on Thursday as the state announced its first infected herd.
Cows infected with bird flu have died in five US states
Dairy cows infected with avian flu in five U.S. states have died or been slaughtered by farmers because they did not recover, state officials and academics told Reuters.
Bird flu reported in Iowa dairy herd, expanding US outbreak in cows
Iowa, which is projected to be the tenth biggest milk-producing state this year, is the first new state to find an infected dairy herd since the U.S. confirmed an outbreak in Colorado on April 26.
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