The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that infections are occurring among cattle infected with avian influenza, which is contributing to the outbreak among herds in at least eight states. In Texas, there was also a case of zoonotic contagion in a farm worker.
Additionally, the USDA confirmed that the H5N1 virus is present in animal milk in “large concentrations” and that unpasteurized milk may be a vector of the disease. Respiratory transmission is not considered the main source of circulation of bird flu among cows, although the Department admits that it is not yet known exactly how this occurs.
Both veterinarians and farmers have been demanding information for weeks to better contain the infection in their livestock, the agency reports. Reuters .
The original vectors of infection are considered to be flocks of wild migratory birds that came into contact with livestock when arriving on open farms in search of food, or that contaminated water sources when they died. However, the USDA determined in its investigation that some infections occurred during “cattle movements between herds.”
Infections in humans manifest themselves as illnesses that range from a mild upper respiratory tract infection to more serious and potentially fatal cases. Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis, and encephalopathy have also been reported in previous human H5N1 infections. Finally, detections of this virus occur in asymptomatic people who have been exposed to infected birds.
The USDA says the recommendations are to minimize livestock movements. In conjunction with cleaning and safety practices on farms.
Author: venemama | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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