Avian Flu in North Carolina Dairy Herd

North Carolina -- April 11, 2024:  North Carolina's dairy industry is facing a new challenge as avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in a herd of dairy cows.

This marks the seventh state in the U.S. to confirm the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain in dairy cattle, raising concerns for the agricultural sector.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler acknowledged the evolving situation. “This is an evolving situation, and we are waiting for more diagnostics from NVSL and will work collaboratively with our federal partners and dairy farmers in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  “We have spent years developing methods to handle HPAI in poultry, but this is new and we are working with our state and federal partners to develop protocols to handle this situation. It is important to note the FDA has no concern about the safety or availability of pasteurized milk products nationwide.”

While the specific location of the affected herd hasn't been disclosed, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) emphasized ongoing communication with the Department of Agriculture.
"We are in close communication with the state agriculture officials," a statement from NCDHHS read. "Public health officials continue to maintain that the overall threat to people from this strain of avian influenza remains low."

The news comes amidst heightened national concerns about the spread of bird flu. The first confirmed case in a U.S. dairy herd emerged in late March, followed by a second human infection in two years in early April. Globally, bird flu has devastated poultry flocks since 2022 and even infected mammals like seals, foxes, and skunks.

North Carolina's dairy farmers are now taking preventative measures to limit the spread of the virus. These measures include restricting visitors to farms, removing potential roosting areas for wild birds, and disinfecting vehicles entering farm property.

As the situation unfolds, North Carolina's agricultural department is working to establish protocols to contain the outbreak and protect the state's dairy industry

WNCTimes

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