Latest news with #MinnesotaBoardofAnimalHealth
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Washington Co. horse tests positive for virus that leads to debilitating disease
The Brief Minnesota Board of Animal Health authorities have learned about a horse in Washington County testing positive for equine herpesvirus type 1, or EHV-1. The virus can develop into a debilitating neurological disease known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) that can lead to incoordination and hind-end weakness. Authorities say a quarantine for the remaining 60 horses on the owner's property has been started to control its spread, and the horse has shown marked improvement since initially being reported. WASHINGTON Co., Minn. (FOX 9) - Authorities have posted a notice that a Washington County horse that has reportedly tested positive for an infectious virus that can develop into a debilitating neurological disease. EHV-1 in Washington County What we know The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says it received notification of a 16-year-old mare testing positive for equine herpesvirus type 1, or EHV-1 on April 25. The virus can develop into a debilitating neurological disease known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) that can cause incoordination and hind-end weakness, according to the University of Minnesota's Animals and Liverstock Department. Authorities say the horse's owner first noticed symptoms on April 22 and voluntarily allowed a veterinarian to examine the horse, who then saw significant balance and muscle control issues. What's next Authorities say a quarantine of the remaining 60 horses on the owner's property was implemented to control the spread of the virus. All quarantined horses will be monitored closely for symptoms. The infected horse has shown marked improvement in the last 48 hours, according to a statement.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu outbreak: Handle with care, not panic
The Brief Bird flu popped up in testing of a Stearns County dairy herd this week. Minnesota health experts say it's cause for concern, but not panic. State inspectors have conducted testing at about 90% of dairy farms since February and only detected the one outbreak. Infections are expected to increase as birds migrate north again, but the food supply is safe. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Bird flu popped up in Minnesota dairy cattle again this week, setting off concerns about how safe our food is and whether we'll ever get a break in the cost of eggs. READ MORE: Minnesota's bird flu response outlined by state leaders as mutation continues Don't panic It's a troubling situation, especially for farmers, but the state's top experts say it's not a reason to panic. There's some concern, no doubt. But for now, at least, this is something that most people may only notice in prices at the grocery store, although some farmers are hurting every day. "You know, everybody likes to eat," said Sen. Torrey Westrom, (R-Alexandria). "So keeping the food supply safe is pretty important." Outbreak math Minnesota is among the country's leaders in bird flu outbreaks since 2022, so keeping an eye on poultry and livestock is a priority across party lines. "We're worried about this on all levels," said Dr. Brian Horta with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. "That doesn't mean the general public is at risk. it means that we are keeping a very close eye on this and making sure that we're doing what we can to eliminate the possibility of this." The state has just one outbreak right now, but that's expected to climb as bird migration kicks into high gear. Protected food supply Inspectors have conducted testing at about 90% of dairy farms in the last month or so and found just the one case of bird flu. And no infectious animals are making it into the food supply. "Our poultry products are still safe to eat," said Dr. Abby Schuft, a poultry educator with the University of Minnesota. "We're don't want to scare anybody into to the next pandemic level." Rising prices Dr. Schuft says the supply is stressed. More than 168 million birds have been destroyed because of infections. So egg prices have gone up, but they're still safe to eat and milk is still safe to drink. But health experts say just letting the virus run through the birds and cattle isn't a good option. "If we allow those flocks to remain, we're allowing that virus to remain," said Dr. Hoefs. "And we're allowing that virus to continue replicating and potentially mutating. So it's essential that we quickly and efficiently remove the virus." The virus has jumped from birds to goats and cattle and also to a few dozen humans. More mutations could allow it to pass from human to human. But for now, the state's inspectors and scientists are focused on protecting dairy and poultry. "There is a unified front around biosecurity and protection of our agriculture business and the health of Minnesotans," said Gov. Tim Walz, (DFL-Minnesota). Homemade protection Bird flu shouldn't make it into the food supply, but if you're nervous, you can make sure to avoid it by cooking your eggs and chicken, and being very careful with raw milk.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu confirmed in Stearns County dairy herd, state officials announce
State officials have confirmed that H5N1 influenza, also known as bird flu, has been detected in a Stearns County dairy herd. The discovery marks the first detection of bird flu in a dairy herd since last summer, and the first since Minnesota launched a program to test raw cow milk for bird flu last month, amid nationwide concerns of the virus jumping from poultry flocks to cows. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the 620-cow herd will be quarantined until they meet requirements proving they are no longer infected. "There is no concern for the safety of the public milk supply, as all milk sold in stores is pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses, and pasteurization has been shown to effectively eliminate active H5N1 virus present in milk," it said. "While under quarantine, the herd will be able to apply for movement permits for animals and animal products such as waste milk and manure. Milk sold for pasteurization does not need a permit and is allowed to go to processing to facilitate business while keeping the risk of the spread of disease low," said State Veterinarian, Dr. Brian Hoefs. "Our surveillance and response approach to H5N1 is a team effort to ensure we're covering all angles where it's detected and limiting its ability to spread." The state is now testing raw milk samples from Minnesota's 1,600 dairy farms on a monthly basis to detect bird flu. Symptoms of bird flu in cows include fever, a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency. Dairy farms are already required to dispose of milk from sick animals to remove it from the supply. The bird flu quarantine will require the farm to have three consecutive negative milk tests. "Identifying which dairy herds are infected is important so we can prevent disease spread and protect both animal and human health," said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen in a Monday press release. "Regular sampling and testing will allow the MDA and partners to identify where the virus is present, monitor trends, and prevent spread of the virus in order to protect unaffected dairy herds and poultry flocks."
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Minnesota dairy cows to be tested for bird flu
Minnesota will begin testing raw milk from dairy cows to see if they have H5N1 bird flu starting Monday. "Every farm in the state will be tested once a month," said Dan Glessing, who owns Glessing Family Farm near Waverly. It's a reality he has already come to terms with. "If you do test positive, you are quarantined for 30 days. You have to have three consecutive negative tests to lift that quarantine," said Glessing. The challenging thing is that nothing can leave the farm during quarantine — livestock, manure, even cats — unless the farmer can get a permit from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. "For instance, we have another farm site that we have some heifers on. We are hauling them back and forth. We wouldn't be able to do that," said Glessing. Glessing said the good news is that so far H5N1 hasn't been as fatal for dairy cows, as it has been for poultry. The bad news is it can be hard to tell if a cow has the flu. Loss of milk production is often the only symptom. "And that's kind of the unknown. A lot of cows don't show symptoms that they have it, so it's hard to know whether you have it or not," said Glessing. He said there is talk of a bird flu vaccine for dairy cows. One they could administer to calves shortly after they are born. But it's not ready yet and the details are still being worked out. He said the testing won't be intrusive, but it will tell a lot. "Any time you have a disease outbreak, you want to minimize. Whether it's poultry, whether it's cattle. You really want to minimize the effects," said Glessing. Glessing said the testing won't be too involved for famers because the samples will be taken during scheduled collections of milk at dairy farms. He said it's a good reminder that milk sold in stores is safe because it's pasteurized, which kills bacteria and viruses.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Avian influenza confirmed at Crow Wing County poultry farm
Feb. 14—BRAINERD — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry from samples taken at a Crow Wing County farm. According to a news release from Crow Wing County, the site was quarantined and the 120 birds on the premises were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. The first Minnesota cases of avian flu were identified in March 2022. The last time there was a case in Crow Wing County was May of 2022, and there was a recent case detected in Wadena County in January of 2025. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health, which leads the state response to avian influenza, highlights the perseverance of the virus to continue infecting flocks. The board strongly encourages producers to focus on their biosecurity, which is a series of proactive steps to reduce the risk of disease affecting their birds. Flock owners large and small should consistently utilize biosecurity to manage the health of their birds. The University of Minnesota Extension maintains biosecurity resources for commercial and backyard flocks. For more information, visit . Poultry producers and backyard flock owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they see any signs or symptoms of disease in their flock: * Decrease in feed or water intake * Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle and hocks * Decrease in egg production * Sudden, unexplained death * Extreme depression * Very quiet * Difficulty breathing Veterinarians who receive reports of clinical signs of avian influenza should call the Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline at 1-833-454-0156 or submit a sick bird report online. If it is after hours or on the weekend, call the Minnesota duty officer at 1-800-422-0798. Subsequent highly pathogenic avian influenza cases will be posted on the board's website at .
