What is it? Should our Australian cattle farmers be concerned?

Avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as “Bird flu”, has raised concerns in the United States as it has been detected in cattle, a species not typically associated with the virus.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds, especially waterfowl like ducks and geese, as well as domestic poultry such as chickens and turkeys and occasionally infects wild and domestic animals. While rare, there have been instances where the virus has jumped from birds to humans, usually through close contact with infected birds. The possibility of human-to-human transmission remains uncertain.

The recent March 2024 detection of avian influenza in cattle in the US raises concerns about the potential spread and impact of the virus. While the primary source of the outbreak is believed to be wild birds, scientists are investigating the possibility of cow-to-cow transmission, which could have significant implications for cattle farming. The affected cattle presented with reduced feed intake and sudden drop in milk production. It should be noted that one dairy worker in the US had conjunctivitis-like symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus.

While avian influenza outbreaks among commercial flocks of birds have occurred in Australia in the past, they have not been the H5N1 stain and have been effectively contained and eradicated with minimal impact on the farming industry. The annual migration of wild birds poses an ongoing risk of introducing avian influenza virus sub-strains to Australian birds, which could potentially affect domestic poultry and now, as seen in the US, even cattle. Therefore, it’s essential for farmers to remain informed about the latest developments in avian influenza and to implement strict biosecurity measures, such as excluding birds and cats from areas where livestock are kept, to prevent the spread of the virus to their livestock.