Oklahoma Confirms Bird Flu in Dairy Cows, Expands Outbreak’s Scope

Oklahoma has become the 13th U.S. state to detect bird flu in dairy cows, with the infection confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The outbreak, first detected in March, has infected over 150 dairy herds nationwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes low risk to the public.

Oklahoma has become the 13th U.S. state to detect bird flu in dairy cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on Monday. The state, however, noted that the infection happened months ago.

The confirmation indicates that the outbreak was more widespread than U.S. authorities initially understood after the virus was first detected in dairy cattle in March. Since then, bird flu has been found in more than 150 dairy herds across the country. This is part of a far-reaching outbreak of H5N1 bird flu that has been spreading globally among wild birds, poultry, and various mammal species. Four dairy workers have tested positive this year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to the general public remains low.

An Oklahoma dairy farm collected a positive sample in April, suspecting its herd could be infected, reported Lee Benson, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The dairy recently sent stored samples to the USDA for testing, encouraged by the possibility of financial aid for lost milk production due to bird flu. USDA has launched a program to compensate farmers for 90% of lost milk production per cow to encourage testing and reporting infections.

On its website, the USDA noted two positive herds in Oklahoma. Benson stated that the confirmed positive sample is from one Oklahoma dairy with two separate barns. The herd has fully recovered, and no further infections have been reported in the state. Protective gear has been made available to dairy farmers, and increased safety and security measures have been advised, said state veterinarian Rod Hall. In contrast, Colorado has reported four confirmed bird flu infections in poultry workers and is investigating a fifth suspected case, health officials disclosed on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies.)