Avian influenza was first identified in cows in the United States

According to the USDA, the cows most likely became infected from wild birds. These birds have been found dead on some farms. The Texas Animal HEALTH Commission has confirmed the presence of AIV virus in samples obtained from sick animals on affected farms.

According to the publication, the infection primarily affects older cows, causing symptoms such as decreased appetite, fever and a sudden decrease in MILK production. However, there were few or no reports of mortality in the affected herds. 

The virus was also reportedly found in samples of unpasteurized milk obtained from infected cows. According to experts, when the product is pasteurized, the virus is killed, so the milk supply remains safe. “At this stage there are no concerns about the safety of the milk supply or risks to consumer health,” the department said in a statement. 

Experts note that at the moment it remains unclear whether all animals became infected directly from birds or whether the virus can also be transmitted between cows. “This is a question that will have to be answered quickly. If we are dealing with intraspecies transmission, then that is a completely different story, which is certainly a concern,” the publication quotes Ohio State University influenza expert Andrew Bowman as saying.

It is also noted that cattle infection occurred immediately after the first death of a ruminant (goat) from AIV in the American state of Minnesota.