By Scout Nelson
Kansas has recently faced its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two commercial dairy operations, as identified by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA–APHIS).
Despite this discovery, experts confirm there's no risk of the virus spreading from mammal to mammal, keeping the public safe from exposure.
Health and agriculture officials assure the public that the commercial milk supply remains unaffected and completely safe for consumption.
This safety is largely attributed to the pasteurization process, which involves heating milk to a temperature that effectively eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses, including influenza.
This process is a cornerstone of dairy safety, ensuring that only milk from healthy animals makes its way to consumers.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture emphasizes the importance of dairy producers monitoring their cattle for any signs of illness, such as decreased milk production, reduced appetite, or changes in manure consistency, in cows that are in the late stages of lactation.
Farmers are also encouraged to prevent wildlife from accessing cattle's feed and water, minimizing the risk of disease transmission.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment remains vigilant, ready to respond and monitor the situation, continuing its mission to safeguard the health of all Kansas residents.
The detection of HPAI in the state's dairy sector is taken seriously, with both health and agricultural sectors working closely to ensure the continued safety of Kansas' food supply and public health.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Kansas, Livestock