A Slow Start
Keith Poulsen’s jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. A livestock veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin, Poulsen had seen sick cows before, with their noses dripping and udders slack.
But the scale of the farmers’ efforts to treat the sick cows stunned him. They showed videos of systems they built to hydrate hundreds of cattle at once. In 14-hour shifts, dairy workers pumped gallons of electrolyte-rich fluids into ailing cows through metal tubes inserted into the esophagus.
Not ‘Immaculate Conception’
A switch flipped in September among experts who study pandemics as national security threats. A patient in Missouri had the bird flu, and no one knew why. "Evidence points to this being a one-off case," Shah said at a briefing with journalists. About a month later, the agency revealed it was not.
The Runny Nose of a Different Dairy Cow
Milking equipment was a likely source of infection, and there were hints of other possibilities, such as through the air as cows coughed or in droplets on objects, like work boots. But not enough data had been collected to know how exactly it was happening. Many farmers declined to test their herds, despite an announcement of funds to compensate them for lost milk production in May.
Farmworker Health
Farmworker advocates also pressed the CDC for money to offset workers’ financial concerns about testing, including paying for medical care, sick leave, and the risk of being fired. This amounted to an offer of $75 each. "Outreach is clearly not a huge priority," Boggess said. "I hear over and over from workers, ‘The cows are more valuable than us.’"
Agriculture Officials Could Start Testing Every Silo of Bulk Milk
Agriculture officials could start testing every silo of bulk milk, in every state, monthly, said Poulsen, the livestock veterinarian. "Not one and done," he added. If they detect the virus, they’d need to determine the affected farm in time to stop sick cows from spreading infections to the rest of the herd — or at least to other farms. Cows can spread the bird flu before they’re sick, he said, so speed is crucial.
Conclusion
The bird flu outbreak has shown no signs of slowing down, and experts are losing faith in the government’s ability to contain it. The virus has already spread to at least 875 herds across 16 states, and the risk of a pandemic is growing. To prevent further spread, agriculture officials must start testing every silo of bulk milk, and the CDC must increase its efforts to protect farmworkers.
FAQs
Q: What is the bird flu?
A: The bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of influenza that affects birds and can be transmitted to humans.
Q: How did the bird flu outbreak start?
A: The exact origin of the outbreak is unknown, but it is believed to have started with a wild bird in northern Texas.
Q: How is the bird flu spread?
A: The bird flu can be spread through contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces, and through the air.
Q: What are the symptoms of the bird flu?
A: The symptoms of the bird flu in humans are similar to those of the seasonal flu, including fever, cough, and sore throat.
Q: How can the bird flu be prevented?
A: The bird flu can be prevented by taking precautions such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with infected birds, and getting vaccinated.
Q: What is being done to contain the outbreak?
A: The USDA has announced a federal order to test milk nationwide, and the CDC is working to increase testing and surveillance for the virus.
