Avian influenza and the impacts to agriculture

Bird flu, avian influenza or, more scientifically, H5N1 is a strain of influenza virus that typically infects waterfowl such as ducks and geese, but easily spreads to other bird populations. This avian influenza has been around since the 1950s, but it was a major outbreak in China in the 1990s that brought the virus to the world stage.

In 1996, it was determined that waterfowl are the natural carriers. The severity of that outbreak was intensified with the first documentation of human cases of the virus.

Most recently, an outbreak began in the US around 2021, affecting primarily poultry producers. Since the most recent outbreak, more than 70 million laying birds have been culled according to an article from the National Farm Bureau Federation, approximately 22% of the US poultry flock. The consequence of this is higher egg prices, increasing around 7% in 2024.

While the poultry industry has been affected by avian influenza several times in recent history and felt the devastating consequences, it was not widespread across the agriculture industry. That was until spring 2024 when, alarmingly, dairy herds began testing positive for the virus.

Other mammals are also seeing infection. This seems to be from a mutation in the virus that allows hemagglutinin to band to its receptor more efficiently.

Currently, more than 700 dairy herds have been impacted, predominantly in California, but also Colorado and 14 other states. The virus seems to be passing through the cows and between states through cattle movement and unclean equipment, not through birds.

The strain affects mostly lactating cows. Symptoms include reduced milk production, thicker concentrated milk, reduced feed consumption, abnormal feces, lethargy, dehydration and fever.

According to a report by the National Farm Bureau Federation, mortality rates in cattle are low, with death occurring around two percent. The implication for dairy producers is that infected cows' raw milk is testing positive for the virus.

On December 6, 2024, the USDA issued a mandate for testing the national milk supply. Unpasteurized milk has potential infectious agents.

Raw milk in California has tested positive and been recalled from local suppliers. Cats drinking the raw milk from infected cows have suffered brain damage and died. Pasteurization, or heat treatment, kills bird flu virus, as well as bacteria such as E. Coli, listeria, and salmonella, according to the USDA.

Another concern is the sick dairy cattle moving into the meat market. One cow from a dairy cull tested positive in the processing plant.

Because of strict testing methods, the virus was detected and the meat did not make it into the retail market. The USDA is confident the US meat supply is safe.

Through rigorous meat inspection processes, to food safety inspection personnel available to inspect animals before slaughter and after, there are multiple safeguards to keep consumers safe. Proper handling of raw meat and cooking meat to safe internal temperatures of 165 degrees kills bacteria and viruses in meat.

As an added safety measure, FSIS added influenza monitoring of muscle samples from culled dairy cows.

Humans are contacting the avian influenza virus as well. While most of the afflicted are farm workers that are in direct contact with sick animals, others are presenting with the virus with no known contact to infected carriers.

So far in the US, the cases have seen minimal symptoms and one death as of January 6. However worldwide, over 900 people have been infected since 2003, with over half resulting in death according to an article in CU Anschutz Today.

Agriculture workers should use caution when working around infected animals and use protective equipment such as gloves and goggles on farms, and also use biosecurity measurers such as changing clothes and shoes when traveling from one farm to another.

Symptoms in people are similar to a cold. People experience congestion, sore throat and fatigue, as well as pink eye.

The economic impact to date is price volatility in turkey and egg markets. Turkey shortages around the holidays was a concern as well as increased prices and shortage of eggs to consumers.

For poultry and dairy farmers, there are indemnification programs. They are partially compensated for loss through USDA.

According to the Farm Bureau Federation, the reimbursements don't match market value but do help with loss. Dairy farms may be infected for weeks or months, meaning they can't take product to market for an extended period of time.

Compensation is needed to stay in existence while they are minimizing disease spread. Keeping consumer confidence in projects is also important so that after an outbreak, producers still have a market.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, honeybees and farm raised fish (ELAP) program is providing financial assistance to eligible dairy farmers for milk loss.

There is no need for alarm, but awareness is important surrounding this virus. Continued testing for food products is a crucial component during this latest outbreak. Having traceability methods for milk and meat is also an important step.

Researchers are working on a vaccine, but so far are just in the testing stages. Keeping consumer confidence in the safety of the US food supply is of utmost importance, as well as keeping the agriculture workers safe while working in areas of disease.