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Explainer: Avian flu in dairy cows warrants close attention

Farmers should identify unusual signs of disease in cattle and have them examined by a veterinarian

Reading Time: 3 minutes An emerging disease syndrome was originally identified in dairy cows in Texas. These cows were identified by animal care workers and veterinarians as having the main clinical signs of reduced milk production and decreased feed intake. Approximately 10 per cent of the cows seem to show clinical signs on affected farms. No deaths occurred and cows seemed to recover with supportive care within two to three weeks. However, loss of milk production was significant. These same farms reported deceased wild birds on their properties.


FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labelled “Bird Flu” and eggs are seen in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Bird flu hits Texas dairy cows, hens, human as ducks migrate

[Change management: career change] Outbreak may have started a month ago after mysterious illness affected 40 per cent of Texas dairy cattle

Reading Time: 3 minutes Migratory waterfowl are to blame for widening avian-flu outbreaks in Texas cows and poultry, and wild birds carrying the virus should be heading north soon, state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said.

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Dairy bird flu cases creep closer to Canada

Michigan and Idaho become fourth and fifth state to confirm virus in dairy cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Idaho has become the newest U.S. states to identify highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle operation, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (IDSA) confirmed March 30.


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Disease affecting U.S. dairy cows re-identified as bird flu

U.S. officials say threat to the public is low; cows don't appear to spread infection within herd

Reading Time: 2 minutes A wild waterfowl-borne disease creating milk production problems in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico dairy herds has been identified as a strain of bird flu, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says.



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Dairy farmers urged to be on lookout for U.S. disease

Older, lactating cattle more likely to be severely impacted, effected farmers say

Reading Time: 2 minutes U.S. dairy producers are reporting high onset of and high morbidity from Texas Agalactiae Syndrome, with confirmed cases in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico. Lactating cows are considered particularly vulnerable.




The beef and dairy wellbeing studies will explore factors related to producer mental health.

Dairy and beef producers needed for well-being studies

Studies use cross-province collaboration between Universities of Manitoba and Guelph

Reading Time: 2 minutes The University of Manitoba is running three studies on the impact of beef and dairy production on producers, including in Ontario. The dairy start-up study will assess the impact on producer well-being as they install and adjust to robots on the farm. The remaining two studies focus on how farm management and animal health impact […] Read more