A case of Bird flu has been detected in a Benton County dairy herd this week, marking the first confirmed case of the virus in cows in Minnesota, State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Hoefs reported.
In a statement released on Thursday, Hoefs emphasized the importance of vigilance for dairy farmers to follow this herd’s example and test sick cows.
“The more we can learn about this virus through testing and research, the better we can prepare to prevent future infections”, he said.
According to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, the affected animals and cows will be quarantined for 30 days to curtail the spread of the infection.
The board has indicated that the public risk from avian influenza remains low, though individuals working with or in direct contact with infected animals could be at risk of contracting the virus.
A dairy worker in Texas contracted bird flu this past March and subsequently recovered. Only one other case has been reported in the U.S. during the current outbreak, involving a poultry worker in Colorado.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this spring that it found inactive traces of the virus in the milk supply. However, health officials reassured the public that pasteurized dairy products remain safe.