The North Carolina Department of Agriculture announced a presumptive positive case of HPAI on a NC dairy.  These cattle are currently asymptomatic and quarantined. For further information on this case, please read their announcement. This brings the total affected states to seven with cases in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and North Carolina. Over 15 states have suspended or restricted importation of cattle from affected states.

Though there are no presumptive positive or confirmed positive cases currently in Georgia, officials are asking everyone to remain aware of how we can protect our farmers, our cows, and our consumers.  Although HPAI is being found in dairy cattle, beef cattle producers should be diligent and aware as well.

• Please be on the look out for these symptoms – decreased feed intake, decreased rumination, manure inconsistencies (tacky/dry to loose), decreased milk production with milk often becoming thick and discolored (colostrum like), and a persistent fever.  
• Report any symptomatic animals to your veterinarian as well as the GDA Animal Health team at (404) 656-3667.
• Biosecurity on farms is of utmost importance always but especially now.  Biosecurity measures encouraged include:
  • Cleanliness
    • When possible, disinfecting items used on or coming onto the farm
  • protect feed and water resources and clean containers regularly
  • limit access to farms and implementing boot wash or boot covers protocols for farm entry
  • restrict the movement of equipment and materials from other farms to designated areas on the farm
    • When possible and especially when restriction is not possible (i.e. milk trucks), implement tire washes as part of farm entry protocol
  • minimize contact with cattle from other farms and avoiding the introduction of novel animals, at least for the time being.
• Communicate with the consumer that pasteurized dairy products are protected by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and still safe to consume.