The number of animals infected with the bird flu virus is increasing in the United States. H5N1 currently causes millions of infected chickens and dozens of infected dairy farms.
The number of dairy farms where cows are infected in the US is 101, spread across twelve states. The number of infected chickens is much higher, at almost 97 million chickens spread across 48 states. It was to some extent expected that the number of infected cows would increase further. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has encouraged dairy farmers to test their cows. The American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports on an almost daily basis about the progress of infections in America. Wild birds are also infected. CDC's most recent data shows nearly 9.500 wild birds in which the virus has been detected.
According to agricultural entrepreneurs and veterinarians, the virus causes digestive problems, fever, reduced appetite and ultimately reduced milk production. The virus causes a weakened immune system in cows, which can lead to secondary infections. In five different states, cows have died from the virus or been sent to the slaughterhouse because they did not recover properly. At that time it would have involved a relatively small number of cows. There are no official figures on the number of cows killed.
Vaccinations taken as a precaution
The news about the company Moderna, also known for corona vaccinations, is striking. From the moment the bird flu virus was discovered in American cows, the company's market value increased by 40%. Governments would stock up on vaccinations as a preventive measure. The United States has purchased 4,8 million doses from Australia's CSL as a precaution, according to Reuters. According to the World Health Organization, the risk to humans remains low for the time being, despite the spread in America among dairy cattle. The virus would not yet have the ability to spread easily through people. That situation has not changed.