US cattle vets rename bird flu as bovine influenza

As more dairy cattle test positive to bird flu in the United States, US vets have renamed avian influenza in dairy cattle in a bid to maintain consumer confidence.

United States veterinarians have renamed avian influenza in dairy cattle as bovine influenza in a bid to “maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers”.

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners last week released a letter saying avian influenza virus Type A H5N1 in cattle “does not cause high morbidity and mortality as it does in birds”.

“The AABP does not believe that this disease should be referenced as “HPAI in cattle” or “bird flu in cattle” due to these differences,” the letter said.

“We believe it is important for the public to understand the difference to maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers.”

The renaming comes as more dairy cattle have tested positive to bird flu in the United States.

As of late last week, 26 cases had been found in dairy herds in the US states of Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, and Kansas, which are also some of that country’s biggest beef production areas.

A spokesman for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in the United States said bird flu had not been found in beef cattle “at present”.

“However, producers are encouraged to implement enhanced biosecurity measures on their farms and ranches to help protect their herds,” the spokesman said.

The US exported $8.1 billion in dairy products in 2023, with Mexico, Canada and China its three biggest markets.

The United States Department of Agriculture described the situation as “rapidly evolving”.

“The USDA and federal and state partners will continue to share additional updates as soon as information becomes available,” a USDA spokesman said.

“Our goal is to safeguard the health of the herd and protect the industry; keep our milk and beef supply safe; and protect public health and human safety based on the most up-to-date information we have.”

There are no limits on the movement of cattle and no talk of destruction, given the stock which have tested positive to date have mild symptoms.

But the USDA has recommended that cattle movement should be minimised as much as possible in the interim and sick cattle should not be moved at all.

“We continue to work diligently to understand the risk factors associated with this virus,

transmission routes, and pathogenicity in cattle,” the USDA said.

“Our goal is to safeguard the health of the herd and protect the industry; keep our milk and beef supply safe; and protect public health and human safety based on the most up-to-date

information we have.”