By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania has imposed restrictions on dairy cattle entering the state from farms in other states that have reported avian influenza cases in their cattle within the last month. This comes after positive tests were detected in cattle from Ohio and Michigan, potentially linked to animals previously brought in from Texas.
To prevent the spread of the disease, Pennsylvania requires testing for nasal swabs and milk from incoming dairy cattle. The testing applies to animals from states with confirmed avian influenza cases in dairy cows within the past 30 days.
Most animals in a shipment, or at least 30 cows, need to be tested within five days before transport. Additionally, the animals must have been together for at least a month with no new arrivals, or all animals must be tested. Calves under one year old and cattle going directly to slaughter are exempt from testing.
The restrictions also prevent bringing cattle from infected farms in other states into Pennsylvania until those farms test negative for avian influenza.
While the disease primarily affects birds, it can spread to mammals, posing a potential risk to livestock farm workers. Though considered low risk to the general public, one farm worker in Texas who had contact with infected cattle did test positive for the virus.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Dairy Cattle