Researchers criticize the government's handling of avian influenza outbreaks in dairy farms

In the month following the announcement by federal authorities of a bird flu outbreak on dairy farms, they have consistently assured the public that the infections do not affect the nation's food or milk supply, and pose minimal risk to public health.

However, the outbreak among cows may be more severe than initially thought. In a recent online update, the Department of Agriculture revealed that there is now evidence of the virus spreading among cows and from cows to poultry.

Reports from North Carolina indicate that bird flu infections have been found in a cattle herd with no visible symptoms, a fact that has not been publicly disclosed by the U.S.D.A. This discovery suggests that the infections may be more widespread than previously believed.

The extent of asymptomatic animals in other locations remains uncertain, as the U.S.D.A. does not mandate cattle testing for infection. While the department has been covering the costs of testing for visibly ill cows, limited to 20 per farm, it has now announced plans to reimburse farms for testing cows without symptoms.

Limited genetic information about the virus has been shared by federal officials with scientists and officials in other countries. This sharing of information is crucial in understanding the potential evolution of the virus as it spreads.

However, there is no active monitoring of infections in pigs, which are known to be effective hosts for flu viruses that evolve. These pigs are often kept in close proximity to cattle. Additionally, despite a lack of concrete data, officials have expressed "no concern" regarding the safety of milk.

In March, the U.S.D.A., the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released joint statements assuring the public of the safety of pasteurized milk. However, the F.D.A. is currently conducting tests to determine whether the virus is eliminated through the pasteurization process. The agency has not provided a timeline for when the results of these tests will be available.

Some experts have criticized the agencies for asserting the safety of milk before having the necessary data on hand, even though the risk to people is minimal.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, acknowledged the concerns of the milk market regarding potential loss of consumption.

The notion that providing absolutes can circumvent the need for discussions like this is not beneficial, he emphasized.

The federal response thus far mirrors the early mistakes made during the pandemic, according to him and other specialists. Dr. Osterholm remarked, "It appears that they have not absorbed the communication lessons that Covid has taught us."

During an interview this week, Dr. Rosemary Sifford, the chief veterinarian at the U.S.D.A., mentioned that over a dozen federal epidemiologists, approximately double the number of laboratory workers, field staff, and academic and state partners, are all participating in the investigations.

"It's important to remember that we have been involved in this for less than a month," she stated. "We are putting in a lot of effort to gather more data."

U.S.D.A. personnel are currently examining only viral genetic sequences from affected cows, but Dr. Sifford assured that they will share information with external experts "very, very soon."

The current economic situation is already quite challenging, and the potential loss of 20 percent of revenue for a period of two to four weeks is significantly increasing anxiety levels, according to the statement.

Idaho implemented a ban on importing cows from the Texas Panhandle following reports of a bird flu outbreak, but the action came a week too late. Despite taking precautions, having an infected herd in Idaho was described as a major setback by Mr. Naerebout.

Matt Herrick, a spokesperson for the International Dairy Foods Association, emphasized the need for federal officials to allocate more resources and equipment to farmers for self-protection. He also suggested that updates should be widely publicized, including through social media channels.

The U.S.D.A.'s homepage does not mention the bird flu outbreak, and the most recent announcement related to an outbreak from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is dated April 2.

Efforts are being made by the U.S.D.A. to develop vaccines to safeguard cattle from H5N1, but the timeline for their development remains uncertain. Dr. Armstrong from the University of Minnesota Extension mentioned that many farmers and veterinarians are hopeful that the virus will naturally diminish.

However, there is a possibility that the issue could persist in the long term. Dr. Armstrong stressed the importance of preparing for such a scenario rather than relying on wishful thinking that the problem will simply disappear.