HPAI Makes Itself Known in CA Dairy Cows
It happened. The other proverbial shoe dropped just before the long holiday weekend with cows at three California dairies testing positive for It happened. The other proverbial shoe dropped just before the long holiday weekend with cows at three California dairies testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. According to the California Department of Agriculture, when herds began showing clinical signs consistent with HPAI on August 25, 2024, the dairy owners worked with their veterinarians and the Department to submit samples to the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) laboratory network for preliminary determination. The samples were then submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), where the test results were confirmed on August 30.
“We have been preparing for this possibility since earlier this year when HPAI detections were confirmed at dairy farms in other states,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Our extensive experience with HPAI in poultry has given us ample preparation and expertise to address this incident, with workers’ health and public health as our top priorities. This is a tough time for our dairy farmers given the economic challenges they’re facing in a dynamic market, so I want to assure them that we are approaching this incident with the utmost urgency.”
No human cases have been confirmed in California related to this incident. The dairies in this case are all located in the Central Valley. To get all of the details, visit https://pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov/Home/PressRelease/62008965
