Bird flu has been detected in cattle in the United States, with 42 dairy herds in nine states affected. The virus was first found on a Texas farm, where it was secreted in milk. Cows have shown symptoms such as decreased milk production, appetite, fever, and fatigue. Livestock farm workers are at risk of infection due to close contact with cows, manure, and milk. While at least one person in contact with livestock has been confirmed to have bird flu, the symptoms remained mild.
In Europe, bird flu has not been detected in cattle yet, but measures such as collecting dead birds from pastures promptly can help prevent the spread of disease. For ordinary citizens, avoiding unpasteurized milk is a good precaution against cow bird flu, as pasteurization destroys other pathogens that may be present. Monitoring and instructions can be tightened if mass bird deaths occur.
Current legislation does not allow for the culling of cattle if bird flu is found, but the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry could make regulatory changes if necessary. Bird flu has long been feared as a potential pandemic, and recent outbreaks in fur farms have raised international concern. To prevent the spread of the disease, measures such as closing openings in fur animal shelters to prevent bird entry have been implemented.
