LOGAN – Cache Valley dairies are being monitored for avian flu after a particular strain was found in an area commercial poultry farm.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has enacted mandatory surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in all dairies in Cache County.
UDAF inspectors are going to collect bulk tank samples weekly from all Cache County dairy facilities. Federal funding is available to cover the cost of testing and there will be no additional cost to dairy producers.
If a dairy’s milk tests positive, the dairy will be placed under a quarantine and no movement of lactating cattle will be permitted on or off the facility except for cows going direct to slaughter.
HPAI is a disease transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and is highly contagious and often fatal in poultry and can be caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses. In March 2024, some Texas cattle tested positive for HPAI H5N1, which then spread to 14 other states including Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. UDAF confirmed that the HPAI H5N1 virus was recently detected in a Cache County commercial poultry facility and is the same one that has impacted dairy cattle in other states.
Currently, there have been no confirmed cases of HPAI in any Cache County or other Utah dairies.
UDAF is working with dairy producers in the area, as well as other state and federal partners on avian influenza response plans, surveillance, and biosecurity protocols. At present, there are no major impacts to the food supply chain at this time. The pasteurization of dairy products and proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended.
The risk of HPAI to the general public is low; however, mild cases of the illnesses have only been reported among livestock workers in other states. People who have prolonged, regular exposure to poultry or dairy cattle and exhibit symptoms should contact the local health department. Those symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, headaches, runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, or vomiting. For more information on avian influenza in humans visit https://epi.utah.gov/bird-flu-in-humans/.
Poultry and dairy cattle owners should be maintaining strong biosecurity plans and intently watching flocks and herds for symptoms of HPAI. Poultry symptoms include high death loss among flocks, nasal discharge, decreased appetite or water consumption, and lack of coordination in birds. Dairy cattle symptoms include decreased milk production; thicker, colostrum-like milk; decrease in feed consumption; dehydration; and, fever. Most dairy cattle recover within a few weeks.
If Cache Valley farmers see any symptoms in their livestock they have been asked to report it immediately to the State Veterinarian’s Office at statevet@utah.gov. UDAF will post updates to https://ag.utah.gov/dairy-cattle-and-avian-influenza/ and contact affected farms.
Producers outside of Cache County interested in participating in voluntary surveillance, email statevet@utah.gov.
Financial compensation is available for Cache Valley dairy producers through USDA APHIS for costs associated with HPAI testing, veterinary expenses, personal protective equipment, milk disposal, and milk losses.