The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed three new cases of H5N1 avian flu in dairy herds, located in Clinton, Gratiot, and Ionia counties.
With these latest outbreaks, Michigan now reports the highest number of affected herds nationwide, totalling 18 across nine counties.
The latest samples tested positive at the Michigan State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and are currently undergoing further confirmation by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL).
This marks a significant uptick in the spread of H5N1 within the state, which forms part of a broader national crisis affecting dairy herds across nine states with a reported total of 51 outbreaks.
In a related report, the situation seems to be worsening beyond traditional farm settings. Two domestic cats in South Dakota have been confirmed to carry the H5N1 virus, with no direct links to the affected dairy or poultry farms.
This unusual transmission underscores the unpredictable nature of H5N1 and its potential to cross species barriers. Notably, this virus has previously been detected in other mammals, including wildlife like bobcats and mountain lions, which likely contracted the virus from infected birds.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undertaking rigorous studies to validate the safety of the nation’s milk supply, focusing on the effectiveness of pasteurization in eliminating the virus. These studies aim to replicate real-world conditions to ensure consumer safety accurately.
Additionally, the FDA has announced an injection of $8 million into efforts to bolster the milk supply’s safety, encompassing a range of initiatives from enhanced surveillance to biosecurity training.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not taking any chances.
It has ramped up its influenza surveillance and begun a pandemic risk assessment using its Influenza Risk Assessment Tool (IRAT). This tool evaluates various risk elements of the virus, which could take months to fully assess.
The implications of these outbreaks are far-reaching, affecting not only the agricultural community but potentially the general public as well.
The CDC’s ongoing surveillance and the recent spikes in flu activity reported in wastewater samples across several states underscore the need for vigilance and preparedness.
As the situation develops, both state and federal agencies are on high alert, coordinating responses to ensure that the spread is contained.