Avian flu in US dairy cattle being closely monitored by Defra
26th April 2024
Defra said it is monitoring the situation closely after media reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the US.
A multi-state outbreak of H5N1 was recently reported in US dairy cattle – the first time avian flu was reported in cattle.
The Centres for Disease Control has confirmed infection in one human who had been exposed to dairy cattle in Texas that are presumed to be infected.
This exposure to H5N1 avian flu is thought to be the first instance of likely mammal to human transmission, according to CDC.
US agriculture officials have said dairy cattle moving between states must be tested for avian flu, after inactive remnants of the virus were detected in samples of milk. Such remnants pose no known threat to human health or the milk supply.
Monitoring the situation
Defra said it has no reason to suspect the virus is circulating in UK cattle. Nor is this strain of the virus circulating in Europe.
Additionally the UK has had no recent cases of avian influenza in kept birds and the risk level from wild birds is low.
A Government spokesperson said: “We are monitoring reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) identified in dairy cattle in the USA and are working closely with international counterparts to better understand the virus strain associated with these cases.
“These reports do not change the risk level for animals for the UK, which is currently ‘low’ and we have no reason to suspect the virus is circulating in our cattle and nor is this virus strain circulating in Europe.
“Food Standards Agency advice remains that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.”
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