The bird flu outbreak has now spread to dairy herds across 16 states, affecting 845 herds as of March 2024, marking the first time the virus has been transmitted from birds to cows. Since the outbreak started in January 2022, approximately 123 million birds have been euthanized to contain the virus. This massive culling has sparked debate over whether such drastic measures are necessary and what impact they may have on both poultry and dairy industries.
The impact on the food supply has become more pronounced. For example, California’s Raw Farm was shut down and its products were recalled after its milk tested positive for bird flu, though no human cases have been linked to these products. This situation highlights growing concerns over food safety and the broader effects on the food supply chain.
Additionally, new PCR testing protocols for bird flu in raw milk use a high cycle threshold, raising concerns about potential false positives. This has raised questions about the accuracy of testing methods and their implications for agriculture and food safety. As the virus continues to affect more areas, the agricultural sector is vigilant, working to control the spread while addressing public concerns about food safety and animal health.
SOURCE:
Source: Original Article
Publish Date: