Third Bird Flu Case Detected in Benton County Cows

(KNSI) – Another case of bird flu has been found in heard of cows in Benton County.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the illness was confirmed on Friday. The exact location wasn’t released.

It’s the third time a disease has been found in the county. The first was on June 4th in a dairy herd of 280 cows. Then, on June 14th, it was found in a herd of 2,395. Minnesota now has eight confirmed avian flu outbreaks.

Officials say dairy farmers should monitor herds and call a veterinarian immediately if their animals appear sick. Symptoms include fever, a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency. H5N1 mostly affects late-stage lactating cows.

Dairy farms must dispose of milk from sick cows to prevent it from entering the food supply. Infected farms must also isolate the entire herd for 30 days to reduce the spread. Thirty days after the last positive test, the herd can be retested, and if healthy, it can be released from quarantine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pasteurized dairy products are safe to consume. The Minnesota Department of Health reports that the risk of the virus to humans remains low. People with direct contact with infected animals have the greatest chance of getting sick. H5N1 symptoms people should watch for include cough, sore throat, fever, red/watery eyes or discharge from the eyes.

The CDC recommends that people who work with infected animals wear personal protective equipment. Farmers can request PPE from the MDH.

People who have questions can call 651-201-5414.

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