Dairy Cows In Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico Test Positive For Bird Flu

The Washington Post (3/29, Sun) reported a highly contagious bird flu strain, which was initially identified in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, has now spread to Michigan and is presumptively present in Idaho and New Mexico. The USDA, the FDA, and the CDC are conducting investigations into the outbreak, which has resulted in symptoms including reduced milk output and low appetite in the dairy cows. NPR (3/31, Hernandez) reports this is “the first time the disease has been found in dairy cattle, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.”