The Illinois state veterinarian is encouraging producers to closely monitor their dairy herds for symptoms of the H5N1 influenza virus.
Dr. Mark Ernst tells Brownfield…
“They drop milk production.” He says, “Milk became thick, almost colostrum like; they go off feed. Some would exhibit fevers, some variability in their hydration status.”
The virus has been detected in cows in nine states. USDA has implemented mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle as well as mandatory reporting of positive results to limit the spread of the disease.