“Highly pathogenic” avian flu confirmed in Colorado cows
(COLORADO) — A Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been discovered in dairy cows in Northeast Colorado. It is the first confirmed case of avian influenza in Colorado cattle.
The Colorado State Veterinarian’s office was notified of signs of HPAI in a herd of cows on April 22, 2024. Samples were submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and were confirmed positive by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) on April 25, 2024.
The herd was placed in quarantine. According to USDA, consumer milk safety is assured through pasteurization, which effectively deactivates viruses and bacteria, including influenza.
Previously, HPAI has been detected in dairy cattle in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, North Carolina, Idaho, South Dakota, and Ohio. Learn more about USDA’s response to HPAI in dairy cows here.
USDA continues to take steps to protect the health of livestock. The department is working closely with federal partners at the CDC to protect the health of people while the FDA works to ensure the safety of the food supply. The U.S. government is committed to addressing this situation with urgency, said the USDA’s website.
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