What is the risk of avian influenza transmission to Australian cattle?

Chickens and ducks have been in the avian flu firing line. But several incidents of cattle transmission in the USA have caused concern. Here’s why.

Avian flu transmission to Australian cattle is still considered to be low, according to a top animal health expert, after a troubling fortnight for agriculture.

More than 80 dairy herds across 11 American states – and three workers – reported to have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza since March.

But Dairy Australia animal health leader Zoe Vogels said the key risk of HPAI remained for wild birds and commercial poultry in Australia, as witnessed with the current outbreak in southwest Victoria.

She said it was important to note that the HPAI strains detected in the current outbreak were not the A(H5N1) variant circulating in American dairy herds.

“The risk to Australian dairy cattle is still considered to be low,” Dr Vogels said.

“However Australian dairy farmers should continue their regular routine monitoring of stock and adhere to their farm biosecurity plans.”

Dr Vogels said the current outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States was the first known instance of transmission of the virus to cattle.

“It is unusual, but not altogether surprising given A(H5N1) has previously been detected in other mammals, and people,” she said.

“However, the emergence of new diseases is always a concern until industry and government bodies learn more about the disease and identify key risk factors to infection and spread.”

This week, a sixth Victorian property was hit with avian influenza, in the Golden Plains region between Geelong and Ballarat.

Agriculture Victoria announced on Thursday the H7N3 strain of the virus had spread to a commercial duck farm located within a restricted area around Meredith that was already in quarantine.