Cows in the Texas Panhandle have tested positive for the bird flu, marking the first time the disease has been found in livestock. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed strains of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu, on Monday. Similar outbreaks have been reported at dairies in Kansas and New Mexico.
The dairy industry is critical for Texas, which ranks fourth in the U.S. for milk production and contributes roughly $50 billion to the state’s economy. In the Panhandle, more than 1.3 billion gallons of milk are produced each year, with the highest rates in Hartley, Castro, and Moore counties.
The disease is causing a decrease in milk production, thicker, colostrum-like milk, and reduced appetite in cows. Infected herds are expected to lose up to 40% of their milk production for 7-10 days until they recover from their symptoms. On average, about 10% of each affected herd appears to be infected.
Milk loss from infected cows is “too limited” to have a major impact on supply. The USDA has not specified if any cows have died from the disease, and experts say it can be difficult to track as dairies are also culling cattle for other reasons.
Multiple agencies are working quickly to monitor the affected herds and conduct additional testing. The disease moves quickly from bird to bird, but experts say it is uncommon for dairy herds. The USDA believes the disease appears to have been introduced to the herds by deceased wild birds.
The animal health commission is working with the federal agriculture department and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to continue evaluating the situation. Experts recommend limiting the number of people entering dairies to employees and essential workers only and using biosecurity resources. Other signs for dairy producers to watch for include abnormal, tacky feces, low appetite, and fever.
