Avian flu confirmed in South Dakota dairy herd

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Avian flu has been confirmed in a dairy herd in South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the Animal Industry Board (AIB).

This is the first confirmed case of avian flu at a dairy in the state but it’s one of several in the U.S. The flu was confirmed on April 9, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Avian flu was also confirmed in herds in New Mexico, Texas and North Carolina on the same day. Avian flu or HPAI, has been confirmed in at least 20 dairy cattle herds since March 25.

At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or risk to consumer health, the DANR and AIB said in its news release. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend consuming unpasteurized milk or raw milk. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk, the DANR and AIB said in its news release.

In a March 29 KELOLAND News story, state veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson said pasteurized milk is the most commonly used for human consumption.

Dairy operators are encouraged to monitor their herds and enforce biosecurity plans. Symptoms of avian flu in dairy cattle include decreased lactation and low appetite.

The infections in dairy milk in March had been traced to wild birds.

“Our environment, because of waterfowl migration is pretty contaminated,” Thompson said in the March 29 KELOLAND story.